Why Worry?

Have you ever dealt with a case of the what-ifs? What if this happened? What if that happened? What if? What if? What if? Focusing on all the what-ifs in your life is the first step to being overcome with worry. Worry, what is worry? Well according to the dictionary, worry is to give way to anxiety or unease and allow one's mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles. According to the Bible worry can be and is a sin, its a lack of trust in God! By worrying we are saying, “God is not in control, God is not taking care of us, I’m not trusting the providence of God.” No matter what we think, worry will not empty tomorrow of it’s sorrow, it empties today of it’s strength. Are you worrying too much? Do you even worry about being worried? You cannot defeat worry by freaking out about it, the only way you can defeat worry is by giving your concerns to someone who can actually do something about your situation. This does not mean that you do not take responsibility for the things you are supposed to do; it just means that you know when to stop and let God begin to handle the situation. Worry can begin when you think that you can handle a situation, then suddenly realize you can not and not know what to do about it. Also worry can be caused by taking responsibility for things you were never supposed to handle on your own or just in general. Are you beginning to worry becausme you do not think you know enough about what the Bible says on how to stop worries? Check out the worries these people below have gone through and how they over came them or learned how to deal with these worries through God’s strength. I hope these stories of hope in struggling times will help you through your “storms of worry” that come your way.

“Personally, I struggle with loads of worry all the time. I worry about what others think of me and whether they think I’m immature or weird or if I talk too much. I worry about what I’m going to do for a career and am I going to be successful in life. I worry that I’m never going to keep up with tasks that I am given and about the tests and trials that God gives me, and I worry about all of the times when I don’t know what I want or what God wants me to do.However, the Bible says in Matthew 6:34: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” This verse reminds us that God has everything planned out and I don’t need to worry about tomorrow or any of my other worries. Another verse that helps me through my worries is Isaiah 55:8-9: ““For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”” Thanks to this verse I am reminded that sometimes I won’t understand God’s intentions and what He has in store for me, but what He has in mind is far greater than anything that I could ever plan for my life.”

“I could give you a long list of things that I worry about like how did I do on my test at school and what grades am I getting? I also worry about having friends or not having friends, and what people think of me. I haven't yet found a way to completely overcome my worries, however, I do know that overcoming worry and anxiety has everything to do with trusting Jesus to deal with them because, we ourselves, are not strong enough to overcome them. The following verses help me to remember what to do when worries begin to grow in my life.

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” -1 Peter 5:7 “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” -Philippians 4:13

It is easy to become wrapped up in the fear of the moment and let yourself worry about scenarios that probably won't even ever happen, and most of the time the things that we worry about have already been conquered by Jesus. Wait! Scratch that, not most of the time but all of the time our fear has already been conquered by Jesus.”

“One of the worries that I have had to deal with, quite recently actually, was when I rapped at the Variety show, a talent show I took part in to raise money for charity. The show took place at a theater in the downtown section of my town, many singers and performers took part and entertained the 400 or so people who came to watch. I was afraid that I would mess up and make a fool of myself in front of all those people, and that they would all judge me for it. Then I remembered that as long as I asked God for help, kept practicing, and understood that we all mess up sometimes, He would help me through the show and use my talent to impact many people. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” -Philippians 4:6 ”

“So I used to be very self-conscious about my personality. I would worry constantly whether I was annoying or too clingy. It started when all my friends pretty much disappeared about five years ago and for three years I pretty much had zero social life. So I wondered if I was doing something wrong, if there was some way I acted or expressed myself that suddenly made everyone turn away from me. And every time there was a possibility of making a new friend or reuniting a bond with an old one, I'd worry that it would all turn around and go downhill again, and it usually would. Then I found some wonderful people about two years ago, at the church my family and I started going to, in a youth group called Awana. I started reading my Bible again and praying for guidance on how to act and who to be, and over those wonderful two years, I came out of the shell I'd trapped myself in. I helped out with church events and afterwards, they'd mention offhand what a wonderful job the youth had done, and I took those simple few words as an anchor. Over time, I guess my worry just sort of faded as I became more comfortable around them and became more open about who I was. Of course, I do still worry about whether I was nice enough, or said or did the right thing, or if I had unintentionally been rude. But not having negative feedback about that I guess was the best feedback of all, because it helped me see that I may not be perfect, but I'm not horrid. I guess the take-away from this would be that I needed the support of others to help me with my inner struggles, and they didn't even realize it. Surround yourself with people who will uplift you and won't point out negatives in your life. Keep close with God and He gives peace and comfort.”

There is so much in life we can worry over, but in doing so we only make the problem worse. We overthink things and get ourselves in a such a state where we can no longer think clearly or rationally about a situation. How can you possibly be deep in prayer, or effective in working out a solution, if you are caught up in 'worry'? Also why should you worry about the what if’s? Matthew 6:34 says not to worry about tomorrow and just like how tomorrow hasn't come yet, the what if’s might not ever come; so why fret about them at all? When we begin to concern ourselves with things that may or may not happen, it separates us from God and keeps us from hearing His words of peace. The only way we can find God's peace in place of our worry, is give the worry over to God in prayer and let it go. LET GO & LET GOD! Don't let worry take root in your life and consume your joy, because you cannot have 'faith' if you are worried all the time. Stop looking at the the 'what ifs' and hand them over to Jesus, it doesn't matter how bad or small your situation is. We don't have to live in a constant state of worry over our our 'tomorrows', we have the opportunity to walk through life with your eyes on Jesus. Lord, Help me not to worry today For my tomorrow that's on its way, But help me keep my eyes on you For this is what will see me through. Amen.