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 NIV
Merriam-Webster defines worry as: “to feel or cause anxiety, concern, or distress about actual or potential problems.” The problems can be health-related, financial security, relationship problems, or a host of other issues. As the definition states, they could be current problems you are facing or just something that you think might happen. And the problems could be significant, like a diagnosis of cancer. Or relatively minor, like finding a place for me to hang my hammock tonight (I am a backpacker).
Worry did not help me to deal with my cancer or survive COVID. It does not guarentee that my government retirement is secure. Nor has it ever helped me find a place to hang my hammock. Worrying seldom helps me to get someplace on time, run faster, or enjoy retirement any better. Worry does not help me to be a better person, make a difference in the world around me, or be more useful in God’s kingdom.
Why Worry?
I like Jesus’ question concerning worry adding an hour to my life. Worry seldom adds to the length or quality of my life. If anything, it detracts from the quality and can shorten it. So why do it? Maybe because it gives me an illusion of control over things I really can’t control.
How much better to just make the most of every moment and trust God for tomorrow? Spend the worry time doing something more productive. Something that will actually make a difference, both in your life as well as the lives of those you come in contact with.
But note that not worrying about problems is not the same thing as ignoring them. Problems need to be dealt with. The trick is to do that without the anxiety or distress of worry. Deal with your problems, trusting that the Lord loves you and will see you through whatever comes your way. And experience the peace that only He can bring.
