Worry and how to conquer
Read Matthew 6:25-32 (NRSV)
What is worry? Consider these thoughts:
Worry is putting question marks where God places periods.
Worry is yesterday not letting go.
Worry is the interest you pay on tomorrow’s troubles.
Worry is a form of atheism, it assumes that there’s no God watching over us.
Worry is faith in the negative.
Worry is an emotional spasm.
Worry is something that catches us and won’t let go.
Worry is stress.
Do any of these thoughts resonate with you? Perhaps several do. I know for me, at times all of these surface and try to quench my peace. Worry tries to distract me from the blessings of living in God’s world.
Stress and worry, though perhaps more prevalent today than ever before, isn’t new. Everyone has their own stressors and responses. If we don’t control how we approach worry and gain habits to reduce stress, it can overtake our lives. Dale Carnegie recognized this back in 1944 when he published How to Stop Worrying and Start Living. Dale’s words of living in day-tight compartments aren’t new. He pulled from wisdom throughout the ages to craft his plan for conquering worry. Read again the verses from Matthew 6. Then and now worry and stress cripple us, the people of God.
Dale echoed the words of Jesus when he said we should live in day-tight compartments. Living in day-tight compartments is the same principle as watertight compartments on a ship. If one part of the ship starts filling with water, doors can seal off the rest of the ship to avoid sinking. In the same way, we can live each day concentrating only on what is happening at this moment, ignoring the mistakes of yesterday or the worries of tomorrow.
Don’t dwell on your past problems or failures. Simply take the lessons learned and apply them to your work today. At home, forget the fight you had with your spouse yesterday. Wake up loving them again wholly today.
When we hold the past, present, and future in our minds all at once, we quickly become overwhelmed and unable to continue working or otherwise functioning. Focusing on the present creates a mindful and centered approach to living.
Sometimes the worst does happen, but too often, we end up ruminating (called catastrophizing) on the worst outcome for too long when the trouble is much less in reality. One way to combat the worry that catastrophic thinking can bring is to ask yourself: “What’s the worst that can happen?” And stop worrying there. This is where you turn to the great God who loves you and ask him guide you in turning this “problem” to an opportunity.
Is this easy? NO! This is where the Christian community steps in. As we surround ourselves with fellow believers, we can see God at work in others. This blanket of community reaffirms and strengthens our faith. Our faith that we are loved by God.
Our faith that good things will come even in the darkest of storms. Our faith that God has healed the troubles of the past.
Read Lamentations 3:22-23
Read Matthew 6:26-30
Read Exodus 3:14
Read Isaiah 26:3
Read Psalm 37
Read Philippians 4:6
Question 1: How would you describe worry from your own perspective.
Question 2: Jesus told us to look at the sparrows and the lilies. (Matthew 6:26-30) What other items could we study to reassure ourselves of God’s care for us?
Question 3: Which verse (or one of those above) help you with worry?
Question 4 Do you find it hard to live in “day-tight” compartments? How would you advise a friend to learn this biblical habit?
Question 5 What most worries you about the future? Can you think of a Scripture verse that speaks to that specific concern.
Let us pray.
Lord God, I feel uncertain and anxious about what I face. Please give me the strength to endure and the clarity to see Your hand at work in all things. May Your will be done in my life, and may You guide me on a path of peace. Heavenly Father, when my heart is overwhelmed, overwhelm me with Your peace. Lead me to You, my rock. Guide me to Your word, which gives me strength and refuge. Help me not to run from my pain but to trust fully in Your goodness and power to carry me through. Amen