Worry

December 4, 2015 (Friday)
“Worry can take five years off your life.” That was the headline. So I read the article, and it suggested several actions to take to decrease worry in one’s life, but said nothing more about the life span.
There were four or five suggestions on things to do to avoid or stop worrying, and they were practical things that everyone could do if they wanted. Of course, the article was only one of thousands that give practical suggestions on self-improvement, including living a worry-free life.
Then I turned to the Bible. Jesus had some things to say about worry. In Matthew 5-7, the Sermon on the Mount, He included several pointers on the subject. “.. I tell you, do not worry..Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
The Apostle Peter chimed in, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7 NLT). And the Apostle Paul: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV). The Book of Hebrews reminds us of God’s power to take care of us: “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ ” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV).
Paul’s advice in Philippians 4 has been paraphrased as a motto for our lives: