This morning in Church we were asked what worries kept most people awake at night. Apparently Premier Inn had conducted a survey and the top answer was money. We were exploring the whole theme of worrying and its negative effects on our lives. It robs us of peace and joy, and it can affect our health in all sorts of ways.
Jesus of course warns us against
worrying in the Sermon on the Mount.
‘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 gather into barns— and yet
your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who
of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Matthew 6.25-27
I remember when I was working
for Church Army at a Conference & Holiday Centre in Central London. The staff met for prayers every morning and on
one morning we read this passage in the King James version which renders verse
27 as, ‘Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?’
This made us smile because one
of our staff had started to visit an elderly man who lived across the Square
(Eccleston Square, near Victoria, London).
She had become involved with 'Help the Aged' and been asked to visit this
elderly gentleman and check to see if he was doing okay. This passage made us
smile because his name was Mr Cubbitt, a descendant of Thomas Cubbit who
designed and built several of the fashionable Squares around that part of
London. By her concern she had added a ‘cubit’
to her life.
And there’s the rub, when does
concern tip over into worry?
Remember ‘Don't Worry, Be Happy’ Bobby McFerrin
Ain't got no place to lay your head somebody came and took your bed
Don't worry be happy
The landlord say your rent
is late he may have to litigate
Don't worry
Ha-ha ha-ha ha-ha
Be happy
Look at me I'm happy
That all sounds wonderful and
the song is itself is very catchy (a favourite of our eldest son’s when he was
a small boy).
I get what Jesus is saying, and I get what St Paul is saying in Philippians 4. 10-12, ‘Now I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need.’
I even get what Bobby Mc Fern
is trying to say, I grew up in the era of the Hippies.
If you sense that I am floundering around here it is because I am still trying to gain an understanding on
when concern becomes worrying.
Concern is good because it
motivates us and moves to action.
Imagine that a prisoner is wrongfully
imprisoned, or is scared because of violence, or is suffering. Surely it would
be nonsense to say, don’t worry, be happy.
And perhaps that’s part of the answer. Concern yes, worry, no. Added to this a concern for others, especially if I have any kind of responsibility for someone else.
(And here I am immediately thinking of a story Jesus told about a man going down to Jericho who was robbed and beaten up)
I intend to do some more
thinking around this and for starters I found this helpful description.
Concern and worry are two
emotions that are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct
differences. Concern is a feeling of interest or care for someone or something,
usually accompanied by a desire to help or take action. It is a more positive emotion
that stems from genuine care and empathy. On the other hand, worry is a more
negative and anxious emotion. It involves excessive thinking and dwelling on
potential problems or negative outcomes. Worry often leads to stress and can be
detrimental to one's mental well-being. While concern is rooted in compassion,
worry is driven by fear and uncertainty. (For more see https://thisvsthat.io/concern-vs-worry)
Carry this definition into
Jesus’ teaching and it all begins to make more sense. With this clearer definition
I can monitor what I am feeling and ask that question. Is this a concern or am
I worrying? Is this about the other or
about me? And there is nothing wrong with having concern about yourself, in
fact, it is very important. Remember
Jesus’s summation of the law, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first
and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour
as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Love your neighbour as yourself
– if you don’t love and care for yourself….
The bigger question that is hard
to answer is, how do you stop worrying?
Well perhaps the answer does lie in Jesus’ teaching. We need to learn to lean into Father God as a loving Father who cares and loves us and wants nothing but the best for us. When worry keeps us awake at night let us not simply try counting sheep but rather talk to the Shepherd.
I would also add that this can find a practical expression when we are in a loving Faith Community who with mutual ‘concern’ for all members of the body seeking to ensure that everyone has all that they need. (See Acts 4.32ff)
Concern motivates - worry debilitates.
Your 'neighbour' needs your concern, but you do not need worry!
'When I need a neighbour where you there?'
https://youtu.be/quBKGeg8_hw?si=hVu1daxv1Kf3Z1SG
