Research has shown that people spend almost thirteen hours (12 hours and 53 minutes) a week worrying about things that serve no purpose and that they have no control over. With the average life span being approximately 65 years, a person will waste almost five years (4 years 11 months) engaged in worry. More times than not a person chooses to worry about a situation that does not exist, probably is not true, and will never develop. It is said that ninety-one percent of all worry will end up being a false alarm. It goes against the physics of the universe to think we can solve an issue that does not exist. Dealing with a nonexistent future is merely a daydream that causes stress and anxiety. We have enough trouble dealing with real issues in the presence, which is a good reason to remember Jeremiah 29:11 which states, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
If we look at our history from a secular point of view, we are walking around with the same brain structure as our Paleolithic ancestors from a couple of thousand years ago. These early Homo Sapiens were mostly concerned with not being dinner for some wild animal and at the same time finding something for them to eat. They were on a constant high level of alert. The difference between our ancestors and now is we have more control over our environment. If we go back to the time before Jesus, we learn that there were those that worried but were warned that worry was not necessary. Job 5:7 tells us that every person will have trouble. First and Second Chronicles have several messages that warn of the dangers of worry and anxiety. Later Jesus in Matthew 6:25-27 warns, “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 than food, and the body more than clothes? 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? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
We have to ask ourselves if uncontrolled and useless worry is a sin. It can be argued that allowing worry to regularly enter your life could definitely be a sin. Worry causes stress and anxiety and can be described as an expression of unrestrained fear and obliviousness. It becomes a very serious issue if a person allows this state of mind to continue day in and day out. This unbridled emotion will eventually cause changes in your chemical make-up that will have negative effects on your nervous system, heart, gastrointestinal system, and mental health. Allowing worry to be a part of your daily routine will also cause depression, anxiety, insomnia, and an overall weakened immune system. Studies have also shown that intense worry has a direct effect on a person’s attitude, personality, and social ability to enter act with family and friends.
We know that God will provide everything that we need and will be in control when we see things as being out of control. We also have to accept that sometimes things will not be perfect and that we will see and be involved in suffering and loss. We are warned several times in the New Testament that following Christ will be difficult. Second Timothy 3:12 warns, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Paul tells us that we will face many tests and hard times while following Jesus, but God will provide. James tells us that God will provide in ways that we will not expect or understand. Many times, we will not agree with things, and more times than not will be unable to understand and become upset with circumstances. But we absolutely have to remember that God is sovereign and that He is always striving for our good and for His Glory.
So how do we move away from the “sin” of worry and follow the way God has laid out before us? Philippians 4:6-7 simply states, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” First Peter 5:6-7 instructs us to, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” As humans, we are wired to worry. For the most part, we know that worry is a waste of time and energy but we still allow ourselves to get wrapped up in it. The sooner we can allow God into our daily affairs and ask Him to help carry our burdens the better we will enjoy life. First Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”