WONDERING ABOUT WORRY

​Is worry a part of your life? Chances are, at one time or another, for one reason or another, you have experienced a time or season of worry. According to a recent survey, 60 percent of U.S. adults report daily stress and worry. While it possible that many of these individuals are reacting to the recent pandemic, it still highlights what experts have observed for years: worry is a widespread and ongoing condition.
 
Worry takes on many forms and can be triggered by many things. It can be a mild anxiety about a new situation, like a job interview or a date. Or it could be that lingering, closed-in feeling of helplessness due to overdue bills or medical concerns. Sometimes, there could be physiological, chemical, or lifestyle factors (in which case, it may be wise to seek out further assistance to help determine if there are more serious factors contributing to the worry). But most of the time, most of us have felt that sense of concern over something that seems to overwhelm us.
 
Not surprisingly, the Bible has a lot to say on the subject of worry. God, in His Word, reminds us of four things:
 
1. Remember that God is with you.  Isaiah 41:10: “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
This is a wonderful verse to memorize, because it lays out the simple fact that you do not have to fear because God is with you. No matter the circumstance, He is there.
 
2. Remember that God cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7: “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
God tells you to take those worries, fears, and anxieties that press down upon you and give them to Jesus. Why? Because He cares for you. What a great promise.
 
3. Remember that God listens to your prayers. Philippians 4:6-7: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Just like one of our previous verses, this one starts with a command: “be anxious for nothing.” So if you are not be anxious for anything, what do you do? You pray. No request is too small or trivial. No request is too big or devastating. You bring it all to God, Who brings you peace through Jesus.
 
4. Remember that God will never leave you. Hebrews 13:5-6: Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
We learned earlier that God is with you. Here is assurance that not only is God with you, but He will never leave you. God simply will not give up on you.
 
There is an old children’s song that says, “Don’t be a doubting Thomas, rest fully on His promise, why worry, worry, worry, worry, when you can pray?” It is a simple reminder to remember that our source of peace, even in the midst of worry, is Jesus Christ