The Worry Emotion - (Counseling Chapter 8)

Unlike anger and fear which have two sides of being constructive and destructive emotions, worry is actually sin, whichever way one looks at it.  Despite being a 'natural' emotion, it shows lack of trust in the Lord.

Either you worry or you trust.  Either you make worry your god, or God your God.  Having said that, remember worry is an emotion.  It can prompt us to take constructive action towards a solution.  The caution is to not let worry push us awash into being what overwhelms and takes control of our minds and hearts.

This is where a trusted friend could be of help, counseling towards overcoming worry that could actually morph into paralyzing fear.  As a believer in Jesus Christ we also have access to Him and can seek His help.

Once again, Harold J. Sala has taught me good process in his book Counseling Friends in Need.  He notes it's good to ask your friend if there's a solution.  For example, if your friend in need is so worried he or she may have a terminal illness, then ask him/her if they have sought a doctor's opinion and if they need medical treatment.  It could be that you are able to give them the courage to take those necessary steps.

So, is there a solution?  Has action been taken?  Encourage your friend towards these worry reducers.  Be his or her emotional support, guiding them along the way; standing by and with him or her.

More importantly, is your friend legitimately willing to take these steps?  Where there's a will, there's a way.  Secondly, when there's this willingness, there can be definite commitment to prayer.  The commitment to trust the Lord with your concern.

Worry and trust are opposites.  Worry is a sin.  Trust is not.  Worry does not depend on the Lord.  Trust does.  It's as simple as that but we often make it complicated.

Philippians 4:6 says,

" ... do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God"

See that?  " ... everything by prayer," shows ones' dependence and trust in the Lord.  It's crucial to call upon the Lord and to inquire of Him.

There was a Sunday School song we used to sing about "worry".  The lyrics are: 

 

"Why worry, when you can pray?

Trust Jesus, He'll lead the way.

Don't be like Doubting Thomas 

Put your faith and trust in Jesus

Why worry, worry, worry

When you can pray?"

There's another slightly different version that I'm actually thinking of.  The second line says, 

"Trust Jesus, He'll be your stay."

The fourth line reads, 

"Rest fully on His promise."

(The rest of this version is the same as the first.)

Either way, we are stirred up to pray instead of worrying.  Memorizing the Philippians verse and singing this short song can help remind a worrier to give their concerns to the Lord, then find rest and peace of mind and heart, as we trust in Him, our ever faithful Master and Lord.  He is holding you.

In Him we can have the victory of an overcomer.

                                          ~ ERC  March 2025 ~

Based on Philippians 4:6 and Counseling Friends in Need by Harold J. Sala, Chapter 8 - Using the Bible to Counsel Emotional Problems, pages 166-167.

Sing, Why Worry When You Can Pray, along with Al Smith and Helen McAlerney Barth.