Worry is natural, but too much worry prevents abundant living

Published: January 25, 2003

By Judy Hoelzeman

I’m a worrier. I’ve been a worrier for as long as I was old enough to be conscious of it. And I’ve worked hard to change, too. But let’s be honest, these days, there seems to be a lot more to worry about. Recently I heard a homilist name worries and fears that plague us, especially parents.

I thanked him afterwards, because I appreciated the fact that he recognized and acknowledged the reality and validity of our day-to-day worries. We worry about how aging parents will be cared for; we worry about the economy and our shrinking (or defunct) retirement funds, about getting a job or keeping the one we have.

We worry, with good reason, about war, about loved ones who are ill, or depressed, or who have addictions. We worry about our own health, and our health insurance. Parents, especially, fear many dangers related to their children, whether they are small or grown. Worry is not all bad. A little worrying can propel us to take prudent action. But chronic worry can be dangerous.

The origin of the word hints at that. “Worry” comes from an Old English word meaning to choke or strangle. And that’s what worry can do to us. When we constantly imagine undesirable or even tragic events, we become exhausted, confused and unable to act at all. The essence of our Christian faith, of course, contradicts worry, but chronic worry is a habit, and habits are hard to break, no matter how much faith we have.

I know we’ve all heard platitudes meant to ease our worries: “If you’re wrinkled with worry, it’s time to get your faith lifted.” Or this one: “If you can’t sleep, don’t count sheep, talk to the shepherd.” These are catchy, but they don’t address the root of worry. I once talked to a confessor about my worries. He told me all my worries really stemmed from one great worry: The fear of death.

When I persist in worrying, I am really failing to live out the fundamental truth of our faith: That Christ died and rose to release me from every fear there is. The Scriptures offer tremendous solace for us in times of worry. One short quote that captures the greatest truth of our faith in found in John 16:33b: “In the world you will have trouble, but take courage. I have conquered the world.”

One of my favorites from childhood is from the sixth chapter of Matthew: “Do not worry,” Jesus says, “Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your lifespan?” Memorizing and repeating Scriptures can help with worry. Allow comforting scriptural words and images of safety to replace recurring images of disaster.

Some good short quotes: “I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand” (Isa 41:13); “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you” (Isa 43:1); “Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid” (John 14:27); “As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you” (Isa 66:13) and “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11).

Hospice volunteers have reported the experience of being near dying people helps them to let go of their worries. They say that ministering to people facing death helps them learn what really matters in life. And most of the time, it is not the things they have worried about. They realize that time spent with people they love is most important — much more important than time devoted to career, possessions, and ideologies.

Like mine, your 401K may have dwindled into a “201K”, and that seems like a valid worry. But Jesus, who has conquered the world, tells us, “Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself…” (Matt 6:34).

Judy Hoelzeman is a member of St. Edward Parish in Little Rock. This article was originally published in Arkansas Catholic January 25, 2003. Copyright Diocese of Little Rock. All rights reserved. This article may be copied or redistributed with acknowledgement and permission of the publisher.