To Worry or Not to Worry!

Have you ever worried? I know you have. We all worry about the stuff of life, at times even falling into full-blown anxiety. It’s a very human response when we feel as if the future is uncertain and may even hold for us the possibility of negative circumstances. The more I talk to people today the more I realize that worry and anxiety have become the order of the day. 

People are worried about the economy, wars that are taking place around the world, climate change, and the politics of the day. On a more personal level, people are worried about their jobs, the well-being of their children, relationships that seem to be falling apart, whether or not they’ll have enough for retirement, and so much more. If our candidate didn’t get elected, we worry. If our son or daughter is struggling in school, we worry. If our workplace announces layoffs, we worry. When we hear about the bomb that was dropped, we worry. When the doctor gives us a bad report, we worry.  And we do so with good cause. After all, all of these things and many more create uncertainty within our lives. 

Yet, although worry may be a natural human response to the uncertainties of life, we must ask, is it the best response? Is worry a healthy response? Does worry bring about better productivity within our lives, help us live better lives, and give to us the peace and soundness of mind for which we all seek? I think we’d all agree, worry does none of those things. That’s why Jesus said, “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? (Matthew 6:27- NIV) So, what’s the antidote to worry? 

As Jesus spoke about worry he instructs us to look to nature and see how God takes care of the birds and the flowers. And he says, “Are you not much more valuable than they?” And, “If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?” (Matthew 6:26, 30)  Then he says, “…the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” 

In other words, people who don’t know God as their heavenly Father, just naturally worry about the things of this life. Thus, when life doesn’t go their way or throws at them some kind of uncertainty, they worry—even spinning into anxiety. But those who know God as their heavenly Father are able to move past worry. Why? How?  Because they have faith that no matter what may happen in their world or in their lives, they have a Father in heaven who is watching over them, able to take care of them, and who will provide for them all that they may have need of.  They don’t remain in worry for they have faith that God is a heavenly Father who will always take care of his children. 

Yes, the world in which we live gives us much cause for worry. But when things in your life and in your world point you towards worry, let me encourage you to look up to your Father in heaven—the One who loves you and who has promised to take care of you. 

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast,  because they trust in you.” (Isaiah 26:3 – NIV) 

Have a great day! 

Pastor Tim Harris