The great game of baseball was once described as "America's Pastime"; an arena where countless Americans spent much of their thoughts, discussions and activity. Evidence shows however the most prevalent activity in our modern culture has moved from the sublime game of baseball to the predominance of a single activity that seems to be shared by all: Worrying, Worrying, Worrying.Dr. Lee Warren describes a worried mind as a "troubled mind that is not at peace". In past civilizations people's worries focused on simply acquiring the basic needs of warmth, food and shelter. But in this Twenty First Century worries make a darker and deeper penetration into our psyches.
Parents worry whether their children will live up to their expectations, breadwinners worry about the possibility of seeing their employment downsized or eliminated, students worry whether they will make the grade, patients worry about their health and everyone seems to worry about crime and drugs. Modern men and women have become consumed by worry.
There appears to be two roots of worry: Worrying because we lack knowledge of what the future holds, and worrying because of a lack of personal confidence in being able to deal with what might happen. So men and women worry, and worry and worry some more. It's as if the worrier believes that the act of worrying will somehow aid in facing real or imagined troubles. Troubles that probably won't ever transpire.
God's Word has much to say about worry. Job recognized worry when he said: "Man that is born of a woman is of a few days, and full of trouble" (Job 14:1).
More recently the 32nd President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt, recognized the destructive force of worry as America faced a horrible depression and imminent war, when he told the country that the greatest fear was fear itself. And now George McDonald accurately advises that, "No man ever sank under the burden of the day. It is when tomorrow's burden is added to the burden of today that the weight is more than man can bear. Never load yourselves so. If you find yourselves so loaded at least remember this: It is your doing, not God's. He begs you to leave the future to Him, and mind the present."
So can it be said that this epidemic of worry affects Christians also? Regrettably yes. Christians, those in our culture who should worry the least, often become champion worriers.. It's as if worrying is a dark secret that Christians don't want to recognize, yet are chronically victimized by its' gnawing effects. Christians join humankind in worrying about anything and everything. They can become all-star participants in this National Pastime.
If a Christian is a chronic worrier he or she has a greater problem. He or she has failed to recognize that worrying is a symptom of the inability or refusal to submit to the Holy Spirit and Comforter. When Jesus shared this truth with His followers He said it like this:
But the Counselor, or Holy Spirit, whom the Father
will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of
everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give
you. I do not give you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be
troubled and do not be afraid.(John 14:26-27)What then, can Christians be free of this burden of fear and worry? Yes, not only can Christians lighten the unnecessary weight of worry, and all the damage that worry causes, but they should do so through the presence of His Holy Spirit working in and through their lives. The damages of worry are countless. Worry can result in a loss of sleep and health. Worry can retard our performance, reduce our relationships and rob our peace. Worry will introduce us to its' two partners, chronic stress and anxiety. In essence worry can steal both peace and an affective witness from believers.
Where then is the antidote to this enemy? The first place to deal with worrying is in P-R-A-Y-E-R. The needed spiritual connection to our Creator is through this simple, yet profound act of communicating with Him. Without a spiritual connection to God, we are hopeless in attempting to deal with worry, and without prayer we will never have that connectivity. Constant and committed prayer will accomplish many things, among which will be an increased trust in Jesus Christ and His ability to help us work out our real problems, quit worrying about imagined problems and maintain His peace regardless of the circumstances. This is implicit faith in Him and a focus off ourselves. Listen closely to what He had to say about this:
"Come unto me all that labor and are heavy laden and I will give
you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and
lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is
easy, and my burden is light (Mt.11:28-30).This summer would be a tremendous time for Christians to change their "National Pastime" from worrying, worrying, worrying to praying, praying, praying. Who knows? We might stand out as a people who seem to have an inner peace that "surpasses human comprehension." Stop the worrying by starting a regular, systematic prayer life. Before long you'll experience the wonderful change from a life burdened by chronic worries to a life that is in direct connection with Our Lord and His peace.
Bill Tanzey
©2000 Bible Center Church
