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From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Dear Rev. Graham: The Bible says we shouldn’t worry, but as hard as I try, I am surely the chief of worriers. How can I overcome this habit? – C.W.

 

Dear C.W.: Almost no emotion is as common as worry – and it’s useless. Why? Because most of our worries either concern things that will never happen, or else things we cannot change.

We’ve heard, “Worry is the interest paid on trouble before it comes due.” Jesus said, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?” (Luke 12:25, NIV). Let’s cast our care on Him, remembering that He is our salvation also in the time of trouble.

Trust is one answer to worry. To cast our care upon the Lord is a continuing process. We should take our burdens to the Lord and leave them there. Needless worry is contrary to the lessons of nature.

Someone has written a little verse: “Said the robin to the sparrow, ‘I should really like to know, why these anxious human beings rush about and worry so.’ Said the sparrow to the robin, ‘Friend, I think that it must be, that they have no heavenly Father such as cares for you and me.’”

Jesus used the carefree attitude of the birds to underscore the fact that worry is unnatural. “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:26, NKJV).

Since God cares for tiny birds, why can’t we count on Him for every aspect of our lives? Christians shouldn’t go about wringing their hands, shouting, “What shall we do?” creating more nervous tension and worry, but trust moment-by-moment that God is still on the throne, working all things out for good according to His perfect will.

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)