Spiritual Development

Why do we worry? We typically don’t find ourselves feeling anxious or worrying that things will go well. We worry when we are confronted by a challenging situation whose outcome is either uncertain or likely unpleasant, which is why we need to read Scripture about worry. Being out of control leaves us grasping for what we want. We are eager to find some way to ensure that the outcome of a date, job interview, tax assessment, operation, or financial decision works out in our favor. Even when we can’t control the situation through any action we can take, we do what feels natural – worry and ruminate. The Bible and worry. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Bible has a lot to say about worry. For one thing, the people we encounter in the pages of Scripture were just as eager as we are to have healthy, productive lives, and for loved ones to be happy and safe. The Bible addresses the many ways people sought to deal with the stresses and uncertainties of life, and among them is worrying. But why is worry something that we shouldn’t do in our lives? Consider one of the many passages in Scripture about worry. Then Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? [...]