What to do with Worry

These are troubled times, for America in general and states like Michigan in particular.  Read the newspaper and you’ll quickly find all the parts and pieces needed to assemble a doomsday scenario where life as we’ve known it implodes before our very eyes.  Consider some current issues: the violent and unpredictable climate, wobbling financial institutions, the crippled mortgage and housing industry, the soaring cost and questionable availability of food and energy, the degraded utility and transportation infrastructure, stressed public services, unaffordable health care, and corrupt, polarized federal and state government.  The list could go on, but you get the idea.  The world seems to be careening out of control, and as much as we might care for the polar bear and the rain forest we are increasingly focused on how to just keep our family fed, the mortgage paid, and enough gas in the car to get to our not-so-secure job.

The times are ripe for an epidemic of worry.  When our security and lifestyle is threatened by forces we can’t even influence, much less control, it is a natural human response to fret.  Natural and common as it is, worry isn’t productive.  Nothing ever changes because of worrying because there is no real action associated with worrying that could impact the outcome of the issue at hand.  It is much like a rocking chair; it gives you something to do, but it won’t get you anywhere.

Worry is a form of mental distress caused by concern for some possible or anticipated event.  It is often thought of as an emotion or even a personality trait, since we all know someone for whom worrying is their favorite sport.  Actually, worrying is not an emotion at all.  Worry is a form of mental obsession that is unhealthy and unproductive.  Left unchecked, worry leads us to replay possible disastrous outcomes over and over again in our minds until we embrace a distorted reality.

Most worry is over far-fetched events that have little likelihood of actually occurring. Worry is so pointless because it focuses all our energy and emotion on what might happen. Worry is seldom for the real issues that beset us in the here and now; those real issues usually receive real action.  In fact, concern for a legitimate problem motivates us to take meaningful action, which is why we visit a doctor about a pain or see a mechanic about a noise under the hood.  Worry, though, rarely leads to constructive action.  In fact, real problems that need attention may get worse as the worrier sits immobilized and obsessing.

What are some warning signs that worry might be out of balance in your life?  If you are not sleeping, or if you’re not productive because your mind is preoccupied with a particular issue, things may have tipped out of balance.  If you simply aren’t taking care of business because you are distracted with worry, or if you obsess on two or more issues for two or more days in a row, you may be out of balance.  All of this can contribute to an unhealthy level of stress that in turn can lead to anxiety issues and even panic disorders.  And stress, as you likely already know, can take a toll on your physical health.

Worry is a symptom of fear, and for the follower of Jesus fear is the opposite of faith.  When we operate in fear and worry over possible outcomes we can’t control we act as though God’s Word is not to be trusted and His promises are not to be believed.  Jesus in Matthew 6 instructed the multitudes to forego worrying and trust God to provide.  That wisdom is no less valid in these troubled times.  Jesus is happy to relieve you of the burden of worry and replace it with the peace that comes from trusting God to work the situation out for the best in a way only He can orchestrate.  I encourage you to begin your day alone with God and take Him your list of worries.  Ask for guidance and direction for the legitimate problems in your life, and for peace without mental obsession over the issues that only might occur.  Pour your heart out to Him.  He wants that intimacy with you, and He wants you to be at peace, free of fear and trusting Him to care for you.

Steve Guthrie directs Christian Counseling Services in Charlevoix.  counseling by appointment, 231.675.4682