James C. Bryant, 32°, K.C.C.H.
1470 Leafmore Place, Decatur, Georgia  30033-2023

Excessive worry is a contradiction of faith.

...An old song tells us to “pack up your troubles in an old kit bag and smile, smile, smile.” That may be easier said than done. But another line of that song is worth pondering: “What’s the use of worrying? It never was worthwhile.” The fact is, worry can cause us to miss some wonderful moments in life if we focus on potential problems and ignore our blessings. Worry can lead to distraction, anxiety, and serious emotional problems. It destroys dreams and frustrates hope.
...When you think about it, what is the use of worrying? As a wise man observed, “If you can do something about it, why worry? If you can’t do anything about it, why worry?” Being concerned about some things is natural, but being unduly worried to the point of losing sleep over something that cannot be helped is another matter. How can a body stop being a worrywart?
One solution comes from deciding to be positive rather than negative, to look for silver linings, and to try to find the sunny side of life. To use one of the many clichés on the subject, accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative.
...One man attributes his life to positive thinking. For years he told himself each morning before getting out of bed, “I can choose to be negative today, or I can choose to be positive. I choose to be positive.” Then one day he had a nearly fatal fall from the roof where he had been making repairs. Rushed to the emergency room, he could tell that the doctor didn’t expect him to live. “Are you allergic to anything?” the doctor asked.
...“Yes!” he said. Everyone stopped and waited for him to say what he was allergic to.
...“Gravity!” he said, forcing a smile.
...Above the laughter, he told the doctor he was very much alive and intended to stay that way. He wanted the doctor to work as though he expected him to live.
...Being positive instead of negative has its rewards. But there is also a spiritual solution for excessive worry. It’s a simple matter of faith that tells you God is in control and wants good things for His children.
...The Master of Galilee had something to say about worry and undue concern because they suggest doubts about God’s providence. One day while interpreting the nature of God, He used a simple analogy of fathers providing for their children. “Who among you would give your child a stone when he asked for bread? Or if he asked for a fish would give him a serpent instead?” Then bypassing his rhetorical questions, he made the point: “If you in your present circumstances know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your father which is in heaven give good things to those who ask him.” (Matt. 7:9-11). He also said, “Don’t be unduly concerned about tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough concern without anticipating more.” (Matt. 6:34).
...Excessive worry is a contradiction of faith. It implies failure to believe God is willing and able to meet our essential needs. “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow,” He continued. “They toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? Or, What shall we drink? Or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? ... for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.” (Matt. 6:28-32).
...Faith makes us willing to trust the Lord for each day’s challenge and for tomorrow’s need. You have His word on it.