Christians Shouldn’t Be Worrywarts

As a woman, it feels like worry is just baked in the cake, so to speak. We tend to be the ones who are left to figure out details to most things, attend to the moment-to-moment responsibilities of the day, act as the primary caregivers to our children and sometimes aging parents, and meet the emotional and social needs of those around us. We’ve got a dozen balls in the air, and we struggle to keep it going. One wrong move and everything comes crashing down. It’s all up to us, or so we think. Of course, we’re worrywarts!

A Culture That Breeds Worrywarts

Worry is defined most simply as “giving way to anxiety or unease, allowing one’s mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles.” I have to readily admit my nature leads me to dwell on difficulties and troubles. Do you ever replay a negative interaction or embarrassing moment over and over again in your mind? Or do you spend copious amounts of time perseverating on possible outcomes you can’t control? Perhaps you, like me, feel more comfortable having contingency plans and contingency plans for those, too.

As if people like me need help worrying, our modern culture has gone all in on breeding worrywarts. Politics, for instance, seem to rely heavily on extremes and worst-case scenarios. We’re always on the brink of World War 3, financial collapse, food shortages, etc. The thing is, though, we’re not. Not usually, at least. However, most of my life as a member of the Xennial generation (i.e., old Millennial), has been a constant barrage of crises and fearmongering. So, is it a shock to discover that one of the nicknames for Millennials is the “anxiety generation” and that they report more anxiety, stress, and depression than older generations? And it’s only getting worse with each subsequent generation. People are constantly worried, and it shows no signs of stopping.

Why Do We Worry?

Other than the obvious scare tactics utilized by our mainstream media, the political landscape, and our own wild imaginations, the reason we ultimately become worrywarts is ourselves. We allow these outside influences to shake us and create anxiety and fear. For many of us, the response to that fear is a strong motivation to attempt to control our circumstances in order to ease our worry, but the reality is enslavement to it instead.

Should A Christian Be A Worrywart?

There are a lot of character deficiencies and flaws that Christians overlook. As long as we aren’t doing anything too “extreme,” we keep quiet. For example, church gossips, overly critical folks, and worrywarts get a pass. But should they? No. Though we would have plenty say about that entire list, we’ll focus on worrywarts today.

We must first decide if worry is a sin. Believers argue strongly on both sides of that debate, but I find the answer lies somewhere in the middle. I agree with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors on this subject. We aren’t in sin to feel concern over things or for people, but the real key lies in what we do with that worry.

I think that by the time someone has crossed over into being known as a worrywart, her concerns have led to sin. A worrywart doesn’t let the worry go. Rather she holds onto it. The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association quoted Graham on Christians who worry, and his statement sums up the problem perfectly.

“Many people trust more in worry than trusting God.”

Billy Graham

Isn’t that the truth?! I’ve lost count of how many Christians I’ve spoken to who were overcome by worry but refused any real comfort or practical helps. Why? I suspect they clung to their worry like a child clings to her blankie. It comforted them in some way to worry. The best way to understand worry as a believer is to turn to God’s Word. (Did you know that’s the best way to understand most things?)

God-Given Directions About Worry

As with many things, God has given us clear directions concerning worry.

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7

To be careful for nothing means to not worry or fret over anything. God tells us what to do instead. We should go to the Lord in prayer about those things and continue to have a thankful spirit. If we do that, we can experience a peace that is only available through Him. Imagine that! Rather than worrying more, He can give us peace if we go to Him about our worries instead.

“Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”

Psalm 55:22

Do you see the similarity in this verse to what we saw in Philippians? Your worries are a burden for you to carry, but He can take them on easily. Not just that, but He will continue to care for you as He takes those worries upon Himself.

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

1 Peter 5:6-7

All right. Now this is getting embarrassing. I get swept up in worry without much trouble. Just ask my husband… Yet, here we see the same message in Scripture again. Cast my worries on Him because he cares for me.

Of course, for good measure, I’ll give you one more reference. It’s one of my favorite promises: rest. It’s a sweet reminder that I don’t need to carry the weight of worry if I know Jesus.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour 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 ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

Christian Worrywarts Need Trust

If the Bible is clear about what we should do when we experience worry, then why don’t we do that? We don’t trust God enough to give Him our worries. This is the point at which our worry crosses over into sinful worry. Our faith in God’s promises to us and His ability to take care of us disappears as our worry grows. Frankly, we don’t need to be worrywarts if we trust that God is in control and will be with us through whatever comes next.

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?”

Psalm 56:3-4 (ESV)

Aren’t those verses convicting? David wrote these words about the time he had been captured by the Philistines while fleeing King Saul. He had enemies who wanted him dead at every turn, and yet he trusted God in the midst of it. He even continued to praise God instead of wringing his hands in (understandable) worry.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

I think these verses are on most Christians’ list of favorite sections of Scripture. We know it’s true, and it sounds very clear and simple to put into action. Yet… Whose understanding does a worrywart lean on? Her own. And she’s definitely not letting God direct her path. She lacks trust. She doesn’t truly believe God is enough. Oh, I doubt she’d say that out loud, but wallowing in a mire of worry gives the message, “God can’t handle what’s going on in my life.”

Exchange Worry For Peace

Christians have access to something no one else does. We can experience true peace. However, peace doesn’t just automatically happen. If only! Peace comes from faith and trusting God. It is a result of obedience to Him and growing in one’s faith.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22-23

The fruit of the Spirit is evidence of someone’s genuine Christianity. When one claims to know Christ but doesn’t display the fruit of the Spirit, then it’s obvious there is something wrong. Did you notice what’s third on the list? Peace. Worrywarts aren’t at peace, yet peace is one of the evidences of a believer. When we live steeped in worries, we reject a blessing God gives those who walk with Him.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

John 14:27

“Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.”

2 Thessalonians 3:16

“Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”

Philippians 4:9

God isn’t keeping this a secret from us. Don’t let trouble and worries overtake you. Rather, accept the peace God offers you. But, Friend, you can’t cling to your worry and have peace. You must choose one.

Final Thought

As you’ve likely guessed, I haven’t mastered worry yet. I struggle with it as many others do, but I’m quicker to turn it over to God as I grow in my faith. Despite my inclinations to worry, I know that, as a Christian, I have no business being a worrywart. A Christian testimony is one of trust in the Lord and peace by living in the knowledge that He is God and can (and will) be with us through our struggles. I pray we all give the Lord our cares and daily walk in peace with Him.

How do you handle your worries?

Image courtesy of Priscilla Du Preez via Unsplash.