Why Worry???

Read Philippians 4:6-7

Worry is, basically, a stress on the body. So when talking about worry, we are talking about stress. Worry causes the heart rate to go up and the arteries to constrict, which has the effect of increasing the blood pressure. Increased blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Worry can also cause the levels of cholesterol to increase, which increases the risk of arteriosclerosis. Worry increases the blood’s clotting ability, thereby increasing the risk of blood clots. Worry also increases sugar levels in the blood and, long term, can lead to Type 2 diabetes or adult-onset diabetes. Worry weakens the body’s immune system, which makes the body more susceptible to disease. Worry also increases the activity of the nervous system, which can lead to increased muscle tension, muscle tension headaches, migraine headaches, ulcers and skin rash. Short-term worry is not very harmful if it doesn’t happen very often, but long-term worry can really take a toll on the body over the years. I know this sounds uplifting for a devotional, but just wait, it will get better.
This is what can happen to a person psychologically who is stressed out and worries excessively. Everybody experiences some degree of anxiety in response to life’s frustrations, annoyances, and challenges. It is not unusual for us to worry at times about our family, health, job, or other personal issues. However, worrying can become a problem if it develops into a habit; when we find ourselves spending most of our time speculating on what bad things might happen in our life. Some warning signs include: feeling anxious most of the time, having trouble pinpointing why you are feeling anxious, avoiding situations that may be the source of your anxious feelings, and losing interest in activities you once enjoyed. Excessive worrying can lead to the development of an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are one of the most commonly reported psychological problems, effecting around 12% of Americans. Around 30% of patients seeking help from physicians are experiencing anxiety-related problems. All anxiety disorders involve physiological symptoms such as heart pounding, chest tightness, dizziness, and insomnia. Worry is simply the interest you pay on borrowed trouble.
In her down-to-earth book “More Than Sparrows”, Mary Welch tells of her discussion about worry with a group of teenagers. Although they were Christians, they were as worried as unbelievers about the common things of life. As she lovingly listened to them, an unusual idea came to her for a game they could play. It went like this:
Instead of saying, “I’m worried,” stop and say, “The Lord is my Shepherd.” Then add, “So I’m worried to death!” The students laughed at the absurdity of the idea, but they all promised to play this new “peace-of-mind” game.
Later, Mary received a phone call from a young woman who had been paralyzed by worry over an exam she had been dreading to take. She said, “I must tell you how the game helped me trust God today. As I froze with worry, I remembered to say, ‘The Lord is my Shepherd . . . so I’m afraid I’ll fail!’ Suddenly I felt the strangest peace of mind. I laughed at myself, then I took the exam—and I passed!”
Saying “The Lord is my Shepherd, and I am worried to death” is more than a mind game to point out the absurdity of worry. God can use this contradiction to bring us to a fuller trust in Him. In the midst of worry, we can realize how absurd it is to do so because the loving Creator of the universe has everything in control.

“While we are focusing on fear, worry, or hate, it is not possible for us to be experiencing happiness, enthusiasm or love.”
- Bo Bennett