The worthlessness of worry – letting go of control

Are you prone to worry? Do you fearfully fret about things you can’t control? Is your life too often unsettled because anxiety overwhelms you? Have you sacrificed hours of needed sleep because your restless mind refuses to stop imagining the worst possible outcomes to potential problems? If you answered yes to these questions, you are not alone – even if you feel alone.

Reader, none of us are going to skate through life without a care in the world. Worry and anxiety are part-and-parcel of living on a fallen planet. When troubling circumstances arise (in particular in the lives of those we care most about) our inability to control the situation combined with our concern, regularly leaves us feeling restless, vulnerable and afraid. Hours and days of disquiet happens to Christian and non-Christian alike. I wish I could say, my faith is so strong, that I never worry about a thing. However, that is just not the case. In fact, far from it. Christians, no matter how committed, are not immune to overwhelming feelings of despair and helplessness. Yes, even pastors worry … and especially this one.

If I were to try and justify my over-anxiety, I would say this; I come from a long line of worriers. Nail-biting nervousness is a family trait. Seemingly, Kiger children are just born with butterflies in their stomachs. My grandfather, who was highly skilled in the abstract art of worrying, once very honestly said, “I worry that I worry too much.” Yes, he literally said that. Unfortunately, I can say, me too, Grandpa … me too. As a Christian, I know worry is wrong, and most often, even sinful. Yet, that knowledge only seems to exacerbate the issue.

On a sin-cursed world, there is a plethora of reasons why we worry. Recently, a global pandemic, national unrest and the recent turbulent election have millions of men and women frightened about the future. Maybe the constant stream of unsettling nightly news has you feeling overwhelmed? Or perhaps your worries are financial? Scores of Americans are rightly concerned about their jobs or whether their careers are in jeopardy? Many and varied are the reasons why we worry. Much more could be said, but I would suggest our worst worries come when trouble hits our homes. Maybe you’re not someone who struggled with anxiety in the past. That is, until some unexpected tragedy struck a loved one, and now you can’t seem to shake the constant feelings of dread. Perhaps a recent diagnosis from the doctor has you up nights? Or a wayward child has you pacing the floor? Because we care about people, a healthy concern about friends and loved ones facing serious situations is understandable and unavoidable. However, endlessly obsessing about things we cannot control can rob us of peace with God, others and ourselves.

From a biblical (and practical) perspective, there is a significant difference between having a natural concern versus allowing our minds to endlessly obsess over what we cannot control. It is perfectly normal to be concerned about circumstances that have the potential to lead to heartbreak or harm. Conversely, allowing ungoverned thoughts and our frightened imaginations to torment us, is something else altogether.

The Bible addresses the issue of worry and anxiety any number of times. 2 Timothy 1:7 states, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” In Philippians 4:6 the Apostle Paul is inspired to write, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” But perhaps the most well known Scripture that speaks to this issue is found in the Sermon on the Mount. There on the pristine hills of the Sea of Galilee, early in His ministry, Jesus tells his hearers three different times (Matthew 6:25-34) “don’t be anxious.” Over and over again, the Lord tells His people not to be overcome with anxiety. To assist us in this difficult demand, Jesus lists several reasons why we should trust the Father and not allow our hearts, minds or lives to be overrun by fear of the unknown.

Over the next couple weeks, I am going to address worry from a Christian perspective and state four truths about this all-too-common, yet gravely troubling issue. I would like to demonstrate from Scripture (in particular the Sermon on the Mount) that worry is: unhealthy, unbiblical, unprofitable and unnecessary. While it is true, worry is unhealthy for everyone, the last three stated points are specifically applicable to Christians. Pay careful attention to what I am about to write. While it is true, anxiety or worry is unhealthy for everyone, those who are not born again believers have every reason to worry. I say again, those who do not know Christ, or the power of His resurrection have every right to worry. Why? Because non-Christians stand on the edge of eternity facing righteous judgment. All the while, meandering through life without God’s saving, sustaining grace or promises of divine protection. That, dear friend, is a reason to worry!

So, if you are not a Christian – I would urge you to turn to Christ and find in Him a peace that passes all understanding! If, however, you are a Christian, and like me, you still struggle with anxious thoughts, read the upcoming articles as we consider what Christ has taught about the worthlessness of worry.

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