Worry: A Product Analysis

I don't know why it is that some people seem to have more of a propensity for worrying than others. Unfortunately, I tend to be one of those. Perhaps the good side of the trait would be my eagerness to plan everything out. But then when things aren't planned out, I worry. God gives us a clear product analysis of worry in Matthew 6:25-34... and similar to the lyrics from the song "War"- "What is it good for? Absolutely nothing." Well, the product analysis is further proven by clear examples in the Bible, as in Job and Acts.


Worry as Unproductive

23 One man dies in full vigor,
completely secure and at ease,

24 his body [f] well nourished,
his bones rich with marrow.

25 Another man dies in bitterness of soul,
never having enjoyed anything good.

26 Side by side they lie in the dust,
and worms cover them both. (Job 21:23-26)

What Job describes here is that different types of outcomes, good and bad, come to different people. We can't waste our time worrying about the future for "tomorrow has enough worries of its own." Brad and I could spend our time worrying about what he will do with his extra year or two years after he finishes his program and I'm still studying, but why worry about that? We have no idea if that will happen. We could worry about kids and how we might provide for them on a grad student budget, but I might not even be able to have kids for all we know. One will have 7 children, another will have none. One will find a job, another will be unemployed. But worrying about it now won't help... worrying about it now is simply unproductive. And whether the outcome is good or bad, "side by side they lie in the dust, and worms cover them both." The ultimate outcome is the same.

I remember when I was down in the DR. There you find a very strong belief in liberation theology... that 'no matter how bad things are here and now, there will be freedom in heaven and we will ultimately be celebrating together with the Lord.' Now some people take this to an unhealthy extreme... not caring for creation or ourselves or the situation in the world that God has called us to care for and be stewards of... the world and each other. However, I do believe that a healthy dose of liberation theology helps us to see what Job describes... that even if we suffer now, we look forward to Heaven. Like Tony Campolo says, it's Friday (and things are bad, dismal, difficult), but Sunday's coming. Worrying distracts us from the glory that awaits us... and the joy we have as Christians.


Worry as Counterproductive

27Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28He said to them: "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. 29So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?"

30Cornelius answered: "Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31and said, 'Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.' 33So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us."

34Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. 36You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him (Acts 10:27-37)

Not only is worry unproductive. It's also counterproductive. Let's look back at Peter. If Peter had hesitated and worried about what all the Jews would think of him... whispering about how he would associate and even go to a Gentile's home... he would have been counterproductive to the call of God in His life. And think about all the lives that would have affected in turn. Peter wouldn't have understood God's message about favoritism and acceptance. The people wouldn't have come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. All because of worry.

And we have this worry oftentimes. What will others think if...? I think I've grown out of that a lot myself. Perhaps as an oldest child or just the path I've forged for myself through different jobs and places and countries. Now, it's just a little example, but when I would go to our Graduate Christian Fellowship meal the past 2 years on Fridays, I would always take my bowl and silverware and material napkin. Everyone else did throw aways. But I was 'me'. And when I decided to do BVS- giving up a good job at Central Bucks School District, I know that some people wouldn't have chosen that path. They might have thought this or that about me. But if I had 'worried' about that, think of all that wouldn't have happened. I wouldn't have the wonderful opportunity to meet up with my Brazilian brothers and sisters at National YOuth Conference this summer!