Perspectives on Worry (Part 1)
In the wake of Jesus' three warnings on possession obsession we now shift over to the problem of worry and anxiety. (The "therefore" that connects this section to the previous one is very clear.) There is a logical connection between possessions and worry: Studies have shown that levels of stress and anxiety are often lower among those who have less and higher among those who have more. (Having more "stuff" means we have to safeguard and maintain it.)William Barclay does a useful analysis of the Greek word Jesus uses for "worry"... The word "merimnate" indicates debilitating stress and anxiety. He quotes examples of this word from secular letters we have from that time:
- A wife admits that she couldn't sleep because of her anxiety for news of her husband.
- A mother writes to her son, indicating that his health and well-being had become the complete focus of her prayers and anxiety.
- The poet, Anacreon, admits that he had to drink wine to make his anxiety go to sleep.
There is a difference between responsible living and paralysing worry. There is a difference between having butterflies in the stomach over a meeting or deadline and living with a constant nagging fear. There is a difference between saving for a "rainy day" and obsessing over the future.
There is a middle point between being careFULL and careLESS. Anxiety comes from being so full of cares about tomorrow, the day after and things that we cannot control, that we lose our health, contentment and spirituality - becoming dominated by the cares of the world. The opposite extreme is also problematic: If we empty ourselves of care for ourselves, our ability work and care for others, then we live irresponsible lives, squandering God's gift of Life.
When we "marinate" ourselves in "merimnate" (Worry/Anxiety/Stress) it is extremely bad for our faith, for our well-being and for our relationships. Even those who believe in God can succumb to anxiety.
Jesus is clear: This is something we have to fight.
Tomorrow we'll look at the reasons not to worry and tools we can use to combat anxiety, but for now take a moment read our passage imagining Him looking lovingly into your eyes, speaking gently but urgently...
| "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 28 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew6:25-34) |
