What is Worry?
Webster's Dictionary defines worry as "to feel uneasy or troubled". Worry is a non-value added activity. Dorothy Galyean says, "Worry is like a rocking chair... it gives you something to do but it doesn't get you anywhere. Another definition says: Worry is thoughts, images and emotions of a negative nature in which mental attempts are made to avoid anticipated potential threats. Worry is the product of feverish imagination working under the stimulus of desires. It is a necessary resultant of attachment to the past or to the anticipated future, and it always persists in some form or other until the mind is completely detached from everything.
The Bible says worry is a sin - Matthew 6:25 & Rom 14:23.
Worrying demonstrates lack of faith. One of the original meanings of the word worry is 'to gnaw.' the word describes what a dog does to a bone: he worries it, chewing on it all day long.
You must know that worrying does not improve the situation you worry about and until you stop worrying, the situation will not change – the condition of your spirit on the inside is what affects your condition on the outside.
Effects of Worry
a. Worrying affects your daily life so much that it interferes with your appetite, lifestyle habits, relationships, sleep, and job performance. Many people who worry excessively are so anxiety-ridden that they seek relief in harmful lifestyle habits such as overeating, cigarette smoking, or using alcohol and drugs.
b. Your body reacts chemically to the fear that worrying can create. When you are scared, your body releases adrenalin. This is a result of the 'flight or fight' reflex that evolved to help us to overcome or run away from anything that threatened us physically. Adrenalin affects the digestive system, and can make you feel ill. The more you worry, the worse it gets, and a sudden rush of adrenalin can lead to butterflies in the stomach, a headache, or feeling very sick.
c. It can become very difficult to get to sleep, because you feel worse at night.
d. In severe cases when excessive worrying and high anxiety go untreated, they can lead to depression and even suicidal thoughts.
How to Stop Worrying
Worry, therefore, is something we wish to avoid. How can we eliminate worry? And more importantly, how do we prevent it? Here are three ways to eliminate and prevent worry in our personal and professional lives:
1. When we keep our eyes focused on God, we remember his love for us and we realize we truly have nothing to worry about. God has a wonderful plan for our lives, and part of that plan includes taking care of us. Even in the difficult times, when it seems like God doesn't care, we can put our trust in the Lord and focus on his kingdom. God will take care of our every need.
2. Disorganization is the source of many worries, e.g. "I can't find it", "I'm confused", or "I'm lost". Pray... Prayer is the number one eliminator of worry. You may be great at multi-tasking, but you'll find it impossible to pray and worry at the same time. Prayer transfers your personal and professional burdens to God. He can handle it a whole lot better than we can. I've noticed that most people resort to prayer only after everything else has failed. But prayer works best when employed before a need exists.
3. Follow the Bible advice – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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”
understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do
not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your
Ask God in prayer for everything - Remember, All things are yours!
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