Defeating worry

A Reader’s Digest article, “Winning Over Worry,” recommended the following:

“Put aside a period each day when you sit down and deliberately worry about things on your mind. It is easier for most people to stop worrying during the day and concentrate on productive thoughts if they tell themselves that they’ll have a chance to get back to the worry later. Researchers agree that the worry period ought to be 30 minutes long. Don’t use your favorite living-room chair, because the associations might make you start worrying every time you sit there. The researchers have discovered that a shorter worry period might actually increase the amount you worry.”

The Christian alternative is better.

Christians have long advocated a daily devotional time. Choose your favorite chair; open the scriptures and commune with your Heavenly Father. Recite His promises. Sing His songs. Humble yourselves before Almighty God by casting your anxiety on Him. He cares for you.

Let’s not be like Martha, “worried and upset about many things.” Instead with Mary, choose “what is better” by sitting at our Lord’s feet (Luke 10:38-42).

Many people waste too much time and energy on past regrets (leading to guilt and depression) or future fears (causing anxiety and fear). These feelings are intruders; thieves on a mission to steal our joy.

• For our regrets, God offers forgiveness and the healing comfort of His presence and promises (I John 1:9; II Corinthians 1:3-4).
• For our fears, he invites us to trust him at all times and pour out our hearts to him (Psalm 62:8; Hebrews 4:14-16).

I am not suggesting we ignore the past or become cavalier about the future. Trusting God as the alternative to anxiety must never be used to justify indifference or laziness. God calls us to diligently and realistically deal with the difficulties of life.

Jesus never promised a trouble-free life to his followers. He said, “Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34). Normal life in a sinful world involves vulnerability, threat, and suffering. Life involves sudden changes, rejection, loss of health, aging, financial collapse, crime, accidents, failure, broken dreams, etc. These are common causes of anxiety for all people.

But God offers himself to us as “a refuge and strength–an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

Practicing Psalm 62:8 and Hebrews 4:16 as a daily exercise is one of the best ways to conquer fear and anxiety (see also, Proverbs 3:5-7).

Steve Cornell