Note: This week begins a three-part series on worrying and the grace of God that will help us overcome it.
I suppose a great many people have causes for worry. Perhaps they feel justified in worrying, because they are confronted with difficulties, and difficulties always create foreboding and fear — unless they are properly met.
I have before me a letter that says: “I was brought up in a ‘worry’ home, therefore I had acquired the habit of worrying from childhood. I have worried regarding my spiritual condition since my early years, and it is hard to rid myself of the habit.”
“A worry home” — what a picture that brings to our minds. No doubt all of us know of such homes. Perhaps some of us have been reared such homes and have acquired the habit of worrying. Many others who have not been reared in “worry homes” have acquired the habit. Worrying is a habit, and a very bad one. It is an inexcusable one for a Christian. The Apostle Paul reminded the Philippians: “Do not be anxious about anything, 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 understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
First of all, worry is distrust of God. Christians believe God is watching over their lives. If they believe their Bible, they must believe that God’s wall of protection is round about them and that “for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28. He has told us that all things work together for good, if we truly love him. If we trust our heavenly Father’s care, we will rest in the assurance that he knows and cares and will not fail to help us in every time of trouble. In other words, we have no cause for worry.
When we worry, we take ourselves out of God’s hands and try to fight our own battles. I do not mean that we are not Christians; but we do trust in our own efforts, rather than in his grace and loving care. Proverbs 3 tells us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” When we trust — we do not worry. When we worry — we do not trust.
Worry dishonors God. The goodness of God, his love for his people, and his protecting care — are told over and over in the Bible, proclaimed by preachers, and spoken of in our testimonies. Yet when trouble looms on the horizon — we begin worry, worry, worry. We leave God out of picture, forget his promises, and take the whole burden upon ourselves! He has told us to cast burdens upon him, but we do not do it when worry. We bear our burdens ourselves and add to them by our worry — making them far greater they would be, even without divine help, if we not worry.
We are told to do all things to the glory of God. Did you ever worry to the glory of God? Did worry ever make you feel like praising God? Does the fact that you worry make other people feel that you believe in God and expect him help you in your troubles? No! Your worry honors God, and advertises the fact that you not trusting in him.
Worry never makes anything better. Look back over the past and consider the things about which you have worried about. Did worrying make them come out any better? Did worry give you strength meet your problems?
But you say, “I cannot help worrying.” I am not so sure about that. Many people, even those who are not Christians, go through troubles great as yours without worrying. They have learned to face circumstances, and make the best of them. Christians should not only do this — they should do still more. They should trust the Lord to take them through difficulties, to give them strength, to make them victorious.
How many times in the past have you worried over things, when the outcome showed that you had no reason to worry? All your worrying was useless and causeless. Trust is a remedy that never fails to cure the worry habit. Therefore, learn to trust.
Charles Wesley Naylor is considered one of the most prolific and inspiring songwriters of the Church of God. He was bedridden for much of his adult life but wrote eight books, a newspaper column and more than 150 songs. Many of his writings are in the public domain.
