Why Worry?

Our modern day English word worry comes from an Old English word wyrgan, that means "to choke," or "strangle." How clearly descriptive of the essence of worry! Worry not only chokes people up at times and even leads some to a panic attack, but it can also strangle our thoughts and our actions. It can choke out the positive beauty of our surroundings. We can become so absorbed in futile worry that we never seem to take the time to stop and smell the roses along life's way.

It would seem people today share some of the same attitudes of those whom Jesus addressed in His sermon on the mountain. After all, is it not important to be concerned about essentials such as food and clothing? Can we not clothe our worry in acceptability by saying, "After all, I'm not worrying about or coveting luxurious and extravagant things. I'm just concerned about my basic needs and the daily welfare of my family."

But this is exactly what Jesus says we cannot do. Such worry reflects a daily distrust of God. Such illogical rationalisation is reflected in the story about two men who were discussing their relationship with their wives. One asserted loudly that he was the head of his house, carried all the important concerns upon his own shoulders and made all the major decisions. When asked to explain he said, "I am the one who is concerned about world and national affairs. I am the one who worries about inflation and recession and other major economic matters. My wife takes care of the relatively unimportant concerns and decisions such as buying a house or car. She decides about the school our children attend and small things like that.

Remember the history of Israel wandering in the wilderness? How He fed them with the miracles of the manna and then the quail? God would only give them a limited supplies of food and water. The reason is obvious He wanted them to glorify Him by trusting Him implicitly and absolutely for their daily provisions. They were not to worry. When they did so, the result was ungrateful murmuring and complaining that ultimately led to the loving, but severe, chastening hand of God falling upon them.

I heard once of a rich man who was known to be a chronic worrier. He finally came to recognise just how futile and destructive his worry habit could be. He advertised in the local paper for someone to do his worrying for him. He told the man his major concerns and worries. He then assigned him the task of worrying about these things each night. He rationalised that he then could get a good sound night's sleep. The man went to his assigned place and, sitting at his desk, began to worry. Just after midnight he heard his employer creep into the room. He asked him, "What are you doing here?" The chronic worrier replied, "I couldn't sleep. I was worried that you were not really worrying about my worries!"