Don't Worry, Be Happy
“Don’t Worry, Be Happy” was a popular song sung by Bobby McFerrin in 1988. Here was this new song with a new mindset. Simple. It had a note of reality/agreement with a solution. Its lyrics began as such: “In every life we have some trouble, but when you worry you make it double. Don’t worry, be happy.” Such a simple song, but an eternal message.
I hear it in the church as well. “Well, I’m going to try and not worry about that," or “I've got to stop worrying about this.” All are both commendable. However, when we direct the weight of our commitments upon ourselves (it’s up to me), we often fall short on reaching our goal. Then, once we don’t reach our goal (because no one’s perfect), we fall away and worry some more. It’s an endless, circular cycle. However, we were not created to worry. Worry only came about as a result of the fall of mankind. We were created for faith and trust.
Anxiety and worry kill everyday. Both kill dreams and aspirations and may lead to nervous breakdowns, which can end in physical death. Anxiety is this serious. Both are silent killers, but we do not wear it on our forehead or get it brilliantly tattooed across our body. For pastors, now, this would definitely be of help. I can imagine shaking hands with someone after church, looking down at their arm and seeing, “I have anxiety,” tattooed on their body. Hopefully, even the most shy pastor would say, “Let’s get together and talk.” More often than not, however, people hide their anxiety and worry. For some reason (unbeknownst to me), they tend to be hesitant and ashamed saying things like, “It’s just me” and “I’ve just got to put on a better face.” Stop. Let’s be REAL.
Anxiety/worry have been around forever. Literally, forever. When Adam and Eve bit the apple they suddenly reacted in a different way. What caused this change of course? Anxiety/worry over what God would think and their own punishment for their sinful actions. Worry was introduced into the world, and it has never left.
In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus extends a helpful word on worry. In verse 25, He proclaims, “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on.” He continues stating the birds have total faith in their God to supply their need of shelter and food. Jesus concludes by asking in verse 26, “Are you not of more value than they?” Let that sink in. Re-read that passage. The more you read it (and definitely the more you believe it), you will understand that you are loved. And not just loved by man, loved by God.
In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul adds, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” If this isn’t an arrow straight to my heart! Paul does not say, “Be anxious - but only for the big things,” or “Be anxious - but not for some things,” but "Be anxious for nothing!” For anyone who has ever struggled with anxiety, we know that doing it, is a whole lot harder than saying it.
In 1 Peter 5, Peter continues with Paul’s train of thought. Here, Peter offers a solution. Paul identifies the problem. Peter, now, gives us the answer. Verse 7 reads, “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” How do we manage anxiety? We cast our cares upon Him and allow Him to handle it.
In Psalm 37, David gives us 4 answers to worry:
1. (3) Trust in the Lord - “Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness”
2. (4) Delight yourself in the Lord. If we do this, “He will give…the desires of your heart.”
3. (5) Commit your way to the Lord , “And He shall bring it to pass.”
4. (7) Be still before the Lord and patiently wait on Him. “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.”
Let us be faithful to trust in the Lord. Allow God to wash away your worries. If we stay close to God and His Son, He will bring victory to our lives. Focus on looking inwardly. Look inside yourself, but, also, look inside of others to see, just maybe, if they are suffering from the same pull of worry that has a hold of you…you may be surprised.