Worry: Don’t Let Life Get You Down

Years ago, as college students, my fiancé and I made many friends – it was a wonderful time in our lives!  One young woman that comes to mind was attractive, energetic, upbeat, friendly, and a true pleasure to have around.  She and my fiancé became quite close, and Tammy (my fiancé) revealed that our good friend had a problem – she was, I was told, “a worrier.”  This was such a problem in her life that she often could not sleep and tended to ‘fret’ over things that sometimes seemed very minor.  As time passed, her worries increased, and this young, attractive woman developed a nervous habit of tugging on her eyelashes.  So severe was this practice that she eventually had no lashes at all on one eye – in dramatic contrast to her other eye, which had long, flowing lashes.  It caused my wife great concern, of course.  They talked and prayed about her concerns, and she seemed to improve over time.  However, she continued to struggle with her worries and eventually sought professional help.

 

Over the years, I have encountered many others who, like us, have had severe struggles with worries and anxiety. We all worry to some degree, but for some, this issue can become overwhelming. In the book of Psalms, we find a passage that resonates with many of us:  “. . .In the day of my trouble, I sought the Lord; In the night, my hand was stretched out without weariness; My soul refused to be comforted.  When I remember God, then I am disturbed, When I sigh, then my spirit grows faint.  Thou hast held my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak. . . .”  77:1-6   . This is a man of faith whose troubles have overwhelmed him.  He is so consumed with worry that he cannot sleep, is overcome with fatigue, and, as he says, “my spirit grows faint.”   In other words, he is miserable and almost beyond going!  This is a feeling many of us can relate to, isn’t it? But there is a better way to live!

 

The scriptures can lead us to a ‘better way’ of life.  In the book of Philippians, the Apostle Paul wrote: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brethren, what is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. Things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace shall be with you.”  4:6-9

 

Paul speaks of handling worry, often “anxiety,” or “anxious,” by teaching us to focus on the good things in life.  So, instead of letting our minds focus on the negative aspects of life (always present!), we are to dwell on the good things of life.  This doesn’t take away legitimate concern; rather, it just keeps us from thinking about the negative aspects of life all the time.  Surprisingly, this is one of the objectives of a modern therapeutic approach – to re-focus our energies and thoughts on the good that is in life and not give negative power over our lives.  This is our choice: to control our thoughts, develop healthy ‘self-talk,’ and become one who recognizes and deals with the existing problems but does not let them consume us.  The end result of living this way involves the “peace of God” coming into our lives.  God can help us control our thoughts, help us deal with the difficult issues in our lives, and, finally, give us a sense of peace in life that isn’t based on one’s situation but instead on the presence and influence of God.  This is the “peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension.” 4:7 

 

God will not ‘fix’ all your problems, but He can help you with them!  He will give you strength and guidance, and when we learn to focus on the good from God in our lives, He will give us peace.  And peace from God is the absence of the worry that consumes us!

 

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