Why Worry?

Worry: a state of anxiety and uncertainty over actual or potential problems.
give way to anxiety or unease; allow one's mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles.

We worry about all kinds of things today. Suffice to say, there are a lot of things to worry about. Our jobs, our finances, our families...the list goes on and on.

We worry when we go to bed to sleep about things we cannot control and therefore we don't get the rest we need after a hard day of whatever that day has brought. We might get a couple hours of restless sleep and then guess what? The alarm clock goes off and we face going through another day of some type of the stresses of life, and go to bed that night....again worrying about whatever we were worrying about the night before, or the night before that or....well you get the idea. Or maybe tonight, we face some new worries that may carry on night after night while we are supposed to letting our bodies rest from the stresses of the day. 

Any of that sound familiar?

For one thing, just worrying about our problems at night, are not going to solve them. We know for a fact, that they are going to be there the next day.  Our worry and lack of sleep at night just funnel into the next day. And the more we worry, we can actually have health problems from it. 

Consider this:

In the midst of excessive worrying, you may suffer with high anxiety -- even panic -- during waking hours. Many chronic worriers tell of feeling a sense of impending doom or unrealistic fears that only increase their worries. Ultra-sensitive to their environment and to the criticism of others, excessive worriers may see anything -- and anyone -- as a potential threat.

source: https://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/how-worrying-affects-your-body#1-2

Years ago, my aunt (who has since passed on), lost her husband to cancer. She sold their farm and moved to town where she bought a house. However living alone she was terrified of being home alone at night. And so every night, she would string items across doorways and in places where if someone were to break in, it would wake her up. She was always in a very state of anxiety even in the daytime. Wherever she was or whatever she was doing. And so I only imagine what kind of anxiety she went through at night, worrying that someone was going to come in and hurt her.

She passed away herself of cancer. And while it seems the jury may still be out on whether or not that much stress can cause cancer or not, it sure didn't do her any good otherwise. How sad. And yet we all sometimes allow ourselves to take on the things that it causes in our bodies.

So, what is the answer?

 Many people reach for the sleeping pills they keep around so hopefully, they can sleep better.  Maybe they will help. Or maybe, if they are a narcotic, they can be addictive. And then, they have other problems than sleeping.  Others may drink warm milk (yuck!) at bedtime or mediate. Or maybe go to sleep listening to soft music to destress. 

Back shortly after my husband and I became Christians, we went to sleep with a Christian radio station that played soothing music and talks about different Christian subjects. And it was a wonderful way to go to sleep with God on our minds. 

But, I believe the best way is to learn and meditate on what the bible says we should do.

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Psalm 9:9

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for today has enough trouble of its own. Mathew 6:34

~Matthew 6:34

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Mathew 22:28-30

These are just a few scriptures that deal with anxiety and worry. And if we learn them or just read them and practice them, this really is the best way to deal with what is on our minds. God's ways are always best for us. Even if we listen to soothing music or have that glass of warm milk along with putting our minds on him. As Colasions3:2 says: Think on things above, not on things of the earth.

Learn to lean on God and he will give you the rest that you need to get through each day!

Thanks for coming by Folks. Have a blessed day in Jesus!