Wasted Brainwaves

I chatted with a close friend while standing in line at a local coffeehouse. But then a sliver of worry pierced the moment. It had been several hours since I left home. I wondered if I had been away too long. I pictured my kids wailing and unhappy. The “what ifs” started rolling. Seconds later, I spotted a sign above the cash register. It read: Worry Is a Misuse of Imagination.

I had to agree. Worry sometimes involves dreaming up problems that may never exist. It also includes legitimate concerns over trouble in daily life. Jesus said, however, “[Don’t] worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear” (Matthew 6:25).

We’re not supposed to lose sleep over those things because fretting won’t fix our problems. It’s ineffective. To emphasize this point, Jesus asked a question: “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” (Matthew 6:27). Personalizing Jesus’ question may help us avoid wasting our time with worry. Consider these questions: If I worry about being single, will I meet Mr. Right? If I’m preoccupied with getting pregnant, will we conceive? If I worry about finding work, will I get a job?

Jesus assures us that worrying won’t work, but faith can move mountains (Matthew 17:20). Speaking to nail-biters like myself, He inquired, “Why do you have so little faith?” (Matthew 6:30). It’s a good question. As Christians we have already learned to trust God for our salvation, and evidence of His provision in the here-and-now is all around us, for He faithfully clothes the flowers and feeds the birds.

Since God provides for the fragile and fleeting parts of His creation, we don’t have to waste our brainwaves on worry. Instead, we can give all our concerns to God, because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).

Taken from “Our Daily Journey”