I'm sure someone will try (and possibly succeed) to prove me wrong in this following statement, but I like to think that I don't really worry about much. I mean, I don't really freak out about school, I don't get super nervous before a test, and I kinda take life as it comes. However, this is not to say that I don't try in school, that I don't care about my tests, or that I just let life happen. I just don't think it's worth worrying about something I can't control. Sure there are times when I get anxious, but I don't really let it keep me from doing things. All in all, this is probably the best encouragement for worry:
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?That's about all I got. I guess it's a shorter one. What are your thoughts? Do you worry about things you shouldn't? Should we worry about anything? What do you think? Is there anything that worry has been keeping you from doing? Why? After all, what's the worst thing that could happen?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. -Matthew 6:25-34
Well, I believe it's a sin to worry. We are supposed to rely on God and trust Him. However, because of the fall we are not perfect. Therefore we sin, therefore we worry. I believe it's just something that we, as humans, do. We can try not to worry, but it's more difficult than just saying, "I'm not worried." I worry about the future, about whether or not I'll ever be good enough to impress my mom, or if I will be able to do what God calls me to do. I think my worry come more from fear. Fear of being wrong, unloved, and unfaithful (to God's calling). I have to say, I do not worry as much as others, but when I do it's about real things. Life situations. My worries come from others worries. Maybe worrying is an emotional contagion. When the experience of the same emotion, worrying, rapidly moves from one person to another. The case could be that one person worries because others do. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if you're going to look at this again, but I'll reply here anyways.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I've never actually thought of worry as a sin, per-say... I mean, I guess it never fully crossed my mind in that light. Now that you bring it up though, it is an interesting concept in my mind. I mean, it's not a big deal, right, just a little worry? We're told we have comfort in the Lord, but that doesn't necessarily make it a sin, does it? On the other hand, we are told (in my own quoted verse) not to worry.
As for comparing worry to fear, I absolutely agree. I'd say that worry is a branch of fear. Worry is a fear of something not going how you'd like. You worry about not being able to fix your car because you're afraid you won't be able to drive it to and from work. I would definitely say worry and fear are intertwined in one another.
Thirdly, I find the term 'emotional contagion' interesting. I've never heard it before, but I kind of like it. I would also agree with you on that to a point. I mean, it's certainly a lot easier to worry when people around you are worrying.
Closing question: how do your worries come from others' worries? I'm not sure if I fully understand that statement.
I must say that I do believe worrying is a sin, only because in Matthew 6:24-26 and in Matthew 6:34 the Bible tells us not to worry. Now for your question, "how do your worries come from others' worries?"
ReplyDeleteThis is an easy answer... emotional contagion is less conscious and more automatic. It relies mainly on non-verbal communication, although it has been demonstrated that emotional contagion can, and does, occur via telecommunication. It's all about how people use their non-verbal communication skills. I am more prone to this I suppose. If someone is happy, I'm more likely to be in a good mood. If someone is upset, I'm more than likely to feel for them. The same with worrying. If someone is worried about something, I may be worried as well. Although I might not have been to begin with. Does that make more sense?
I suppose I see what you're saying, but I can't say I've ever had that happen to me. It does track in my mind though, that emotions and attitude are easy to pick up from other people. That's interesting. Again, I've haven't thought too much on that, and I will say again, that's interesting.
ReplyDeleteSurely it is. That is why we must be careful the kinds of people we involve ourselves with, and we must learn to control our emotions no matter what others think or feel. This is often very difficult.
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