Worry is Twin to Fear
Fear has a twin called worry. Corrie ten Boom once said, “Worry is a cycle of insufficient thoughts whirling around a center of fear.” If I asked, “When was the last time you worried? You might just say, “Today!”
Jesus’ instruction to us is clear: “Therefore, I say to you, do not worry about your life… Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6: 25, 34).
One commentator writes, “Worry means to divide into parts. The word suggests a distraction, preoccupation with things causing anxiety, stress, and pressure. Jesus speaks against worry and anxiety because of the watchful care of a heavenly Father who is every mindful of our daily needs.”1
I once read an article entitled “Wait to Worry,” which included results of a survey of four thousand worriers. Some of the findings amazed me:
- 40 percent of the things people worry about have already happened, so they can do nothing about them.
- Another 30 percent of what they worry about could never happen.
- 22 percent of what they worry about, if it comes, will have so little effect that it isn’t worrying about.
- By process of elimination only 8 percent of our worries are worth the worry.2
Have you thought about speaking Scriptures out loud to help faith override worry? The Bible says: “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).
When I hear my own voice reiterating what the Bible says about me as one of God’s children, it truly builds my trust. For example, if I’m worried about a big decision I have to make today, I might paraphrase Scripture to form a prayer:
“Lord, Your word says that You will accomplish what concerns me. You will fulfill Your purpose for me. I believe it, and I expect your intervention today in this situation I’m facing. Work out all the details. Thank You in advance. I choose to cast my worry on You” (Psalm 138:8).
I like to post encouraging Scriptures around my house so that throughout the day I can see them, repeat them aloud, and eventually, memorize them. Maybe you’ve discovered a special way to get rid of your worry.
Prayer: Lord, I admit it– I worry too much. I yearn to come to the place of total abandonment where I can be worry-free because I have a complete trust in You. Thank You, heavenly Father that You know all things I need. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Scripture: So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it, for you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace. (Isaiah 55: 11-12)
Footnotes:
1.Hayford, Spirit-Filled Life Bible, p. 1425
2. Fred Smith, “Wait to Worry, The Christian Reader, June 1992, p. 53.
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