I use the word “worry” a lot, especially for situations or circumstances that don’t really require that kind of emotional response.
I worry that I won’t be able to maximize by playing time on Contest of Champions.
I worry that Ant-Man won’t be any good and Marvel will lose some of its momentum.
I worry that the Packers will win this weekend and go to the Super Bowl.
These really aren’t things about which I should worry. There are much more serious matters in life than video games, nerdy movies and sports. Even in the more serious matters, though, Jesus calls us not to worry.
Worrying is like lazily walking on a treadmill; it creates a lot of activity but it doesn’t really produce any results. There is plenty to worry about in our lives. We can worry about work, family, friends, money, children and whether or not the Hulk versus Hulkbuster is going to live up to the hype. Regardless of what we worry about though, worrying doesn’t get us anywhere.
That’s why Jesus tells us that we shouldn’t worry. If we seek God first and trust that he is in control, then we can also trust that God is going to take care of everything we face. It’s not that the situations and circumstances we face in life aren’t serious; it’s just that God is big enough to handle any of our concerns. And those situations may not always get resolved how we would like, but again we can trust that God is in control and working everything for our good.
So we probably shouldn’t worry about who Marvel is going to cast as Captain Marvel and we probably shouldn’t worry about whether or not Back to the Future II was correct about the Cubs. But we also shouldn’t worry about our futures, our jobs or any other situation because God is control.
What helps you keep from worrying?
“Worrying is like lazily walking on a treadmill; it creates a lot of activity but it doesn’t really produce any results.” That’s wonderfully put, Scott.
On my better days, my faith keeps me from worrying, since I do believe “God is the ruler yet” and will work all things for the good (and, frankly, not just for the good of we who love him – God is gracious!). But that’s on my better days.