Overcoming Worry
(RR tracks across Dixon Road)
Of all the things I have ever worried about in my life, my estimate is that less than 5% of them have come to pass. Which means: I have spent a good deal of time worrying about things that come to nothing. Worry, anxiety, fear… I’ve experienced them all, as I’m guessing you have too. I have wondered, what sort of person would not worry? One answer to this would be: someone who’s had their brain removed. But then, of course, they wouldn’t be able to enjoy their worry-free life.
How is it possible to have the brains we have and move into greater freedom from worry? The answer Jesus gives is: a person who trusts, really trusts, in God would not worry. “Trust” and “worry” do not go together. Jesus speaks about this in Matthew 6:25-34. He says:
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 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, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Here are some of Jesus’ bullet points.
1. We do not need to worry about life’s basic things. Why? Because if we live our lives trusting in God, God considers us more important than, e.g., birds who are also provided for.
2. Worrying about something adds nothing to our lives. I’ve even read studies that claim worrying subtracts from the days of one’s life. Surely it is true that worrying is non-productive. Worry, anxiety, and fear immobilize and lead to non-action. Worrying is counter-productive, making worrisome situations worse. Jesus is saying, if today you are worried about something, rest assured that “worry” will not make the situation better and, in some cases, will make it worse because of the resultant non-activity.
3. Jesus is saying that trusting in God will lead to basic needs being provided. Here we must distinguish between basic needs and personal wants and desires. In this regard I have found myself, at times, worrying about something that I don’t even really need. That now strikes me as a true waste of emotional time and energy.
4. Jesus tells us that “pagans” (=non-God-followers) run after material things. Richard Foster, in A Celebration of Discipline, argues that the more material things a person has the more things they have to worry about. Here I am reminded of research that I’ve read re. materialistic cultures and levels of anxiety. I have a friend, Dr. David Augsburger, who wrote a brilliant study showing how there exist cultures who have little of what we have, but do not even have a word for “anxiety” because the condition seems nonexistent. Personally I have found that when I am thankful for what I have rather than needing to have more things to be thankful for I am more at peace in myself.
I think a “worry” or “care” is like the tip of an iceberg. Melt off the top of the iceberg, and more surfaces. The only way to get rid of the tip is to get rid of the entire iceberg. Personally, I am asking God to heal my heart that still is too filled with the cares of this world so that He can use me to help others with their cares and concerns. Because the more self-obsessive I am the less good I am to others. Here are some things I suggest to get help and healing from worry.
- Keep a spiritual journal. In that journal write your fears and worries, and give them to God. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on him for he cares for you.”
- Re-read your journal periodically. Remembering how God has been there with you in the past gives real hope for the present.
- Saturate your heart, soul, and mind with God-things. Let such things fill your heart. Do not let the media’s disasters fill your heart. If you avoid media reporting of the endless disasters of this world you will not be living in denial. This is because a fair portion of media fears never materialize. Remember, e.g., Y2K. I have found that when I make it my first priority to fill heart and mind with God-things I gain an eternal perspective on world-things.
- Separate your real needs from your mere wants. Begin to see how our American materialistic culture works to create false needs within us that lead to false anxiety over either not having such things, or over having them and needing to care for them, protect them, store them, worship them, etc.
- Follow Jesus more intently and more intensely. For example, read Matthew 25 about what Jesus says in regard to helping the poor and needy. Take His words seriously and move towards others. I strongly believe that, as you begin doing this, you will find that your own cares and worries will dissipate.
- Trust God. In this sense trust is not some emotion, but an action. Actually trust God with your life. Trust in God and worry cannot coexist in the same human heart.