Be Concerned But Not Worried
Is all anxiety wrong? The apostle Paul said that every day he experienced the pressure of anxiety over the well-being of all the churches (2 Corinthians 11:28). A number of translations speak of the apostle’s ‘anxiety’ in this verse: ESV, NRSV, GW, NJB, AAT, NEB, NAB, AB-1987, NET. The NKJV translates the word as ‘deep concern.’ I think ‘anxiety’ as a sense of deep concern and responsibility need not be wrong. In fact, I believe it can be healthy. On the other hand, anxiety as fretting or worrying is clearly wrong (Philippians 4:6; 1 Peter 5:7).
We may become unhealthily anxious when we have a lot of stressful problems, see ourselves as having to make a choice between undesirable options, are frequently around anxious individuals, have to choose only one of two desirable goals, have unhealed inner conflicts of which we are unaware, or have a goal in which we focus on the undesirable rather than the desirable aspects of it. We may make out a situation to be worse than it really is or see ourselves as unable to cope. Perhaps we doubt God will see us through. Fretting over such matters should be avoided.
What, then, are some ways we can reduce fretting? We can pray with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6). We might also focus on the positive (Philippians 4:8), practice being content (Philippians 4:11), and believe that God will help us (Romans 8:28; Philippians 2:12-13). On a practical level, we can engage in relaxing activities, get our mind off our problems by helping others, get adequate sleep, exercise, and eat well. It could also be helpful to deal with the issue about which we are anxious and avoid procrastination. Further, we ought to live one day at a time and make sure there is enough laughter, fun, and play in our lives.
We need to be appropriately concerned, as Paul was. Yet, we must not fret for He who sustains all that is loves us, is with us, and is for us (Romans 8:31-32; Psalm 46:1-3).
Comforting others is costly but worth it.