Why Worry
Sep 1, 2015
Recently a woman expressed concern for her friends who worry a lot. She reminded them that they can pray about their concerns and give them to God. Apparently, that seemed too simplistic an answer for them. So I started thinking, how do we put aside our worries so they do not overtake us or consume our thinking?
What is Worry?
Worry is taking upon ourselves today the possible problems of tomorrow. We may rationalize it by thinking, I must plan for the future, or I must solve a problem before it gets too big. The problem is worry can spiral out of control and can take over one’s thinking, leading to anxiety and sleeplessness; and nothing is really resolved in the process. Perhaps, we want to control tomorrow, but certainly we cannot. Only God knows tomorrow. So I propose to try this:
Pour out your heart to God
You can tell Him anything. You can tell Him everything. You can tell Him your fears, your worries, your concerns. God can handle it. The song lyrics remind: “If He carried the weight of the world upon his shoulders, I know that He will carry you” (Scott Wesley Brown). You will feel better after praying and be assured that the One who can do something about it heard you.
Leave your burden there
The challenge after pouring out our heart to God is to then leave our burdens there—with Him—and not take them back. Worrying doesn’t accomplish anything. Worry doesn’t solve the problem. Do what you can, then leave the rest with God. (That’s easier said than done!) I have read that 95% of what we worry about never happens, and the 5% that happens is not as bad as we feared.
Monitor what comes into your mind
What do you allow into your mind through your eyes and ears? Those things affect your thoughts and contribute to worry. Questions to ask ourselves are: What am feeding my mind? Is it only television? Am I reading Scripture and devotionals?
We each can make choices that affect our thoughts positively. Scriptures reminds us to “think on the good things.” Think about the good gifts you have from God and be thankful.
My mother used to quote this poem by Elizabeth Cheney: “The Robin and the Sparrow"
Said the robin to the sparrow, “I should really like to know, Why these anxious human beings rush about and worry so.” Said the sparrow to the robin, “Friend I think that it must be, That they have no Heavenly Father, such as cares for you and me.”
Written by Chaplain Sherree Lane