Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34
I don’t think there has been a time in history with so many opportunities to worry. Yes, there have been terrible wars, famines, epidemics, and other horrible events. Yet on a day by day hour by hour basis there has been nothing like the technology and information we now have to offer so many “worry opportunities”. If you are a worrier by nature–this is your golden age.
Today where you live the weather may be perfect. Above you is a bluebird sky, a gentle breeze blows across your face, and the grass could not be any greener. Yet, if you want to worry about the weather, just turn on The Weather Channel, or some other around the clock weather service, I guarantee you that somewhere, at someplace the weather is horrible, a catastrophe is taking place and you can watch and worry about it at your leisure despite the perfect weather outside your door.
If bad weather does not get your worry meter rising, turn on the news. 24 hours a day there is something horrific going on somewhere, and if not, they will invent something for you to worry about with half a dozen experts coming on next to say it is so.
Maybe you are a casual worrier. Turn on your computer or pick up your smartphone and the Internet is more than happy to feed your casual worry habit.
Worry has been a problem for a long time, Jesus addressed it long ago:
Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Luke 12:22-26
But we all worry at some point. If not the external problems of the world, then the everyday issues in our lives, and at times truly large issues that seem dire to our friends and family or ourselves.
Jesus was not telling us to be uncaring. Indeed, the Bible makes clear we are to care for one another and not bury our heads in the sand when others are hurting or in need.
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:15-17
The problem is that too often we spend time feeding our fears and worries and no time feeding our faith through the Word of God. The answer to fear and worry is and will always be Faith. Faith is the antidote to worry. Yet how foolish is it to spend so much time in an endless cycle of worry and dread over things we have absolutely no control over.
When we hear about tragedies and people suffering hardship we should first of all pray for them, and if we are able in some way to meet their needs to do so. But to go looking for things to worry about, to constantly feed our minds on fear and doubt and worry is poor mental health practice at best. At worst it distracts us from focusing upon the One who can change circumstances not only in our life, but in the lives of others.
We act as if somehow our worrying about so many things is helpful. That we are merely staying informed. It reminds me of something someone recently said to me regarding starting their day by watching the news. They said: “It makes me want to go and get my gun…” As if having a firearm by their side would help matters at all.
Keep these things in mind particularly about the news, but also about much information today, even the commercials you hear or see. They want you to be worried, afraid, or upset and angry. By doing so they hope to keep you watching, interested, buying their product, or getting on their bandwagon. None of it is generally in your best interest. And most of it in one way or another keeps you endlessly worrying.
Christian, if someone is telling you the world is about to end for one reason or another you should not be worrying, but dancing in the streets. For this means Jesus is coming back that much sooner. These people act like, and perhaps even think, there is no God in heaven watching over this world. We know better. If the world ends–we are with Jesus. If some plague or horrible event kills us–we are with Jesus. And if we are living like we ought to in this world–we are with Jesus. So whether absent from or present in the body the believer is with Jesus.
Life brings cares and worries all on its own. We need not go looking for more to worry about. There is an endless supply of worry in this age we are living in. Remember what Jesus said:
Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Matthew 6:27
The obvious answer is no. But you can stop your fears and end your worries by focusing upon Jesus and stirring up your faith in Him.
Prayer: Dear Lord, how foolish we are to worry over so many things we can do nothing about instead of trusting the outcome of everything to You. Help us to realign our vision so we can clearly see that we have a Father who cares and will provide for our needs no matter what they might be. The earth and all who are in it belong to You, help us to leave it and them in your capable Hands instead of taking endless worry with us everywhere we go. Amen.
