Breaking News: Don’t Worry – by Laura Urista

“If worry can’t change anything, why do you do it so much?” Luke 12:25 (The Voice translation)

“Worrying is like paying a debt you don’t owe.” (Mark Twain)

“Don’t worry … be happy!” (Bob Marley)

My name is Laura and I’m a worrier. I hate to admit it. I don’t like to worry, or even want to… but I do. To be honest, I think I might be addicted to worrying. Even when things in my life are basically going well, and I don’t have a logical reason to worry, I “borrow” worry by dwelling on what-if scenarios – not only worrying for myself and my husband, but for my grown kids, grandkids, friends and their kids and grandkids. It’s stressing me right now just to think about! I’ve heard the first step to overcoming an addiction is admitting it, so maybe I’ve just taken the first step to recovery.

The news media thrives on feeding into our natural physical concerns by providing a constant barrage of bad news, calamities, disasters (or potential disasters) to occupy our minds and keep us addicted to watching or listening. Some news stations have this down to a science with fast-paced, frenetic reporting styles, shocking graphics and jarring music. It can actually make a viewer’s heart rate accelerate, even just by watching or listening for a few minutes.

When I was a teen and young adult, I was encouraged / required by my parents, teachers and church leaders to read or watch the news daily. The idea was that we should search “today’s headlines” to see if we could find fulfillments of ancient Bible prophecies. While I do think it’s important to be informed and be aware of what’s happening in the world at large, today’s modern non-stop, 24-hour news cycle is unrelenting and probably, emotionally and spiritually unhealthy in frequent doses.

Because all these “news” programs are competing for viewers (and advertising dollars), of course they’re motivated to make their reporting the most sensational and the most hyped-up. BREAKING NEWS!! They’re selling worry (and anxiety) to keep viewers from “changing the channel” (or whatever you call it these days when you switch to a different program or streaming platform). We should recognize the real motive behind all these media efforts, and see the frenzy for what it’s worth.

Christ-less religion also has an ulterior motive to keep its followers in a constant state of worry and anxiety. According to many religious authorities, we must keep doing more and more good works just in case the totality of our life’s accomplishments isn’t quite enough for God’s holy standard. Just in case God is not really trustworthy or there’s some secret hidden loophole, some tiny section of “fine print” buried within God’s promises.

These themes are drilled into our heads from childhood. Remember the lyrics of the popular Christmas carol “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”? “You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I’m telling you why….” Why? Because God might be mad at you and withhold presents (blessings) if you’re not a good little girl or boy (woman or man). “…He sees if you’ve been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake!”

With all this in mind, it can truly feel strange, foreign, uncomfortable and perhaps even wrong to “rest in Christ.” Yet, that is what Jesus, the Good Shepherd, told his followers to do in Matthew 11:28-29.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

I want to expand on the signature scripture above (Luke 12:25) and put it into context. I really like the Voice translation, but I will share the NIV (New International Version) first for comparison.

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life^[? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?… And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. (Luke 12:25-26, 29-31, NIV).

“Which one of you can add a single hour to your life or 18 inches to your height by worrying really hard? If worry can’t change anything, why do you do it so much?… Don’t reduce your life to the pursuit of food and drink; don’t let your mind be filled with anxiety. People of the world who don’t know God pursue these things, but you have a Father caring for you, a Father who knows all your needs.Since you don’t need to worry—about security and safety, about food and clothing—then pursue God’s kingdom first and foremost, and these other things will come to you as well.  (Luke 12:25-26, 29-31, The Voice translation).

It seems pretty clear that Jesus was talking about making a deliberate choice to focus our thoughts on his kingdom. Like making a deliberate choice to eat healthy, nourishing foods instead of sugary snacks and junk food, we can choose to focus our minds on the healthy, nourishing spiritual food of God’s word and His kingdom. I’m not talking about a far-off kingdom to eventually come someday, but the kingdom provided “right-here right-now” through Jesus’ death and resurrection life. What kingdom am I talking about? The kingdom-life of eternity in a close, intimate relationship with our triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  

We can choose to enjoy this kingdom-life relationship now, with the Father, Son and Spirit through all five of our physical senses:

• As we spend time looking at the beauty and majesty of God’s glorious creation
• While we listen to the joyful sounds of children laughing, birds singing or uplifting music
• As we enjoy the sweet scents of flowers and trees blooming
• By tasting delicious food/drink (mostly nutritious food…and a little chocolate occasionally!)
• Enjoying the warmth of the sun on our shoulders or a cool, refreshing breeze on our faces

I think when Jesus said “seek first [pursue] the kingdom” he was encouraging his followers (then and now!) to make deliberate, intentional choices to look for and focus on God’s blessings of kingdom-life, instead of dwelling on all the bad news this world has in store. Obviously, there was bad news back in Jesus’ time (long before we were born) and there will still be bad news long after we die. But we will enjoy our precious time here on earth (and be less anxious and worried) if we fill our minds with good thoughts, as Paul recommends in Philippians 4:8, “think on things of good report.”

Tonight, I think I’ll choose to skip the news and take a walk, stop and smell the roses… and enjoy a lovely sunset with my Savior instead. Won’t you join me?

Laura Urista serves as Vice President and the Managing Editor of Plain Truth Magazine

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