I could certainly do with less worry 😀. It’s been nearly 40 years since I first heard “Why Worry” by Dire Straits. It’s true that we can ease each other’s worries, but does worry ever really go away in this life?
We need to prepare for challenges or dangers and to deal with them. But I think that most of us wish that we could reduce unproductive worry. And much of it is unproductive.
As a policy, we should try to avoid worrying. God cares for us, and we can bring our needs to him.
Luke 6:34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
But then again, so much of the Bible is about godly people who faced huge challenges in life. The Apostle Paul strikes me as someone who had a lot to worry about because he had many concerns. He provides a list in 2 Corinthians 11:
- Five times receiving 39 lashes
- Three times beaten with rods
- Once stoned
- Three times shipwrecked
- A night and a day adrift at sea
- Constant dangers from rivers, robbers, Jews, Gentiles, cities, wilderness, sea, and false believers
- Hardship in toil, sleepless nights, hunger, thirst, cold, and exposure
- Daily pressure of concern for all the churches
Notice especially the last point. He did not sit back and say to himself “they’ll be fine.” There’s nothing to suggest that godly people sail through life without any worries. But they probably worry less than they otherwise would because they trust in God. So, though we should give attention to what might potentially happen, we shouldn’t waste time ruminating on our troubles. But it isn’t easy 😀. And even now, after putting years of thought and prayer into the subject, I certainly believe that I should spend less time worrying. The web is full to tips for dealing with worry, and these are beneficial. But it’s also important to address our deeper needs. I find the following hymns greatly comforting.
Hibernia Gospel 