A Modern Word, but an Age-Old Problem
Worry is a relatively modern word. Did you realize that? Try a search in the King James Version of the Bible, and you won’t find a single use of the word worry. It is only in more modern translations that the Greek word (which I can neither spell nor pronounce) meaning “to be anxious or to be troubled with care” has frequently been translated as “worry.”
Nonetheless, even though worry is a more modern word, the feelings we describe as worry aren’t new. I suspect Adam and Eve might have felt something akin to this emotion between when they ate the apple and the next time God visited them in the garden. Thankfully, the Bible also tells us there is an alternative to worry—peace—and clues us on how to find it.
Why We Worry
Yes, I hear you saying, “Hey, you don’t need to give me this list. I should be giving YOU the list!” Fair enough, but let’s see how closely my list matches yours.
We worry because life is hard. We worry because of the uncertainty of the future and the fact that we don’t know what it holds. Could there be job cuts, illness, accidents, terrorism? Yes, yes, yes, and yes.
We worry because we can’t control everything. We continually try to control things we were never meant to control (like our spouses). Uncertainty about relationships, finances, health, or other aspects of life can create plenty of fodder for worry. Overusing technology, such as spending excessive time on smartphones, social media, or electronic devices, can be one cause of this type of worry. Excess screen time can lead to information overload and feelings of inadequacy from comparing ourselves to others. Isn’t it interesting that we can believe God can redeem us and give us eternal life, and yet we struggle to believe that God can get us through the next couple of days? Perhaps we don’t believe God as much as we claim.
3. We Worry Because We Forget What’s Important. We let ourselves get worried by things of enormous importance (not!) such as a misplaced wallet, lost keys, clogged pipes, and on and on. For example, when I was a teenager, I had severe acne. Invariably, my worst breakouts were at inopportune times – like right before a big date. At age 16, those moments felt world-ending. Turns out they weren’t! Fast-forward some years to losing my job in my 40s and 20% of my investments in my 50s…those felt like worrying was more appropriate. In both those instances, I did (temporarily) lose sight of God’s hand over my life and my place in His kingdom. I let worldly matters take on far more importance in those moments than spiritual matters, and I worried. I had yet to learn peace amid chaos. And let me add one final statement I’ve found incredibly thought-provoking. We worry about what we eat but don’t care enough about what we do with the life that food makes possible. (That one smacks me every time I read it.)
4. We Worry Because of Our Affluence.
a. Yes, really. Ecclesiastes 5:12 warns about this condition: “The sleep of the laborer is sweet, but the abundance of a rich man provides him no rest.”
b. We think the more we have, the more secure we will feel, but the opposite is often true. The more we have, the more we have to worry about.
c. Affluence can also lead to worries about economic downturns, poor investment decisions, unforeseen expenses, theft or fraud, and even how best to allocate funds to make a meaningful impact in the world.
Soul Soothing: 11 Steps to Finding God’s Peace
As Christians, we have access to unique resources to help us navigate the challenging feelings of worry. Here are what I consider to be the best steps to finding God’s peace:
Be Confident in God’s Sovereign Providence. Don’t allow your circumstances to trouble you. Deep down, know that all is well between us and God. He is on His throne and as lovingly in control of everything now as He’s ever been.
Limit News and Social Media Consumption. Take regular breaks from the news and social media, and be mindful of how much time you spend on those activities.
Practice Gratitude and Contentment. In a world that often emphasizes materialism and comparison, it is common to be lured into desiring more and feeling discontent with our current possessions. It is essential to redirect our attention from our perceived inadequacies to the abundance we already possess to avoid this trap. Try practicing daily introspection, keeping a gratitude journal, and simply expressing thanks to God and others.
Surrender Control. Human beings are finite and limited in our understanding, whereas God is infinite and all-knowing. We can find solace and reassurance in uncertainty and fear by relinquishing control and trusting God’s guidance and wisdom.
Immerse Yourself in the Bible. Worry sometimes indicates that we are not trusting our Heavenly Father. An effective remedy for this is to immerse ourselves in the Bible. By studying it, you will learn more about who God truly is. Learning of God’s faithfulness throughout history strengthens our faith and assurance in Him for today.
6. Pray. Any time we begin to worry, let it be our invitation and reminder to pray. I’ve always loved the saying, “Before you go to bed at night, leave your concerns with God. He’s going to be up all night anyway.”
7. Cultivate a Sabbath Rest. God instituted the Sabbath as a day of rest, and this principle is crucial for our mental and physical health. In the hustle and bustle of modern life, it’s essential to set aside regular times for rest and reflection. Sabbath rest means not just physical rest but also mental and spiritual rejuvenation.
8. Take Things a Day at a Time. Any person can fight the battle of just one day. It’s when we add the burdens of yesterday and tomorrow that we break down.
9. Live by Faith, Not by News. If God oversaw the world well before we came into it, and if we expect that same God to manage it just as well after we’re gone, why wouldn’t we trust that He will oversee it just as well while we are in it? You can rest easy once you realize the answer to that question.
10. Find Support in Community. Engaging with a church community or small group can provide support, encouragement, and accountability. Sharing burdens with fellow believers can be tremendously comforting.
11. Have an eternal perspective. Realize that any circumstance you face is only temporary. And be encouraged that there is a reason why you are facing difficulties—God uses them to perfect you.
Conclusion
Worry is a prevalent issue in our society due to various factors such as societal pressures, economic uncertainty, and personal struggles. As Christians, however, we have the unique opportunity to approach these challenges with faith, trust, and reliance on God’s promises.
As we navigate the complexities of life in today’s world, we can find comfort and strength in the truth that God is always present, cares for us, and works all things together for our good. Here’s what I’ve learned from my worries:
· The scars left from my acne are signs to others that I’m human, just like they are, and that I’ve gone through my own periods of difficulty. They keep me humble.
· Losing my job in my 40s revealed how much I had let my job become my identity and how I needed to rediscover my identity in Christ.
· Losing a large portion of my investments in my 50s reminded me that my sufficiency and security come from God and not from the larger “barns” I was attempting to fill.
Stay humble, find your identity in Christ, and let God provide your sufficiency and security. Turn to God in prayer, practice gratitude, and focus on the present moment. These are the secrets to finding true peace in a world filled with worry. Be at peace, friend. God is in control and still on His throne.
