Don’t Worry

by Bob Gaudi

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear.” –Matthew 6:25  

A few weeks ago I was scheduled for a somewhat complex, yet not overly problematic dental procedure. I was going to receive two dental implants to replace two teeth that were unsalvageable (old age continues to be ‘not for sissies’). This situation was causing me a lot of anxiety, and even though I try hard to not worry, it always seems to sneak up on me and imbed itself in my thoughts. I just could not understand why this was proving to be such an issue with me as I have had a couple of dental implants in the past and they were accomplished smoothly and without issue. Additionally, I am by nature an optimistic individual and always try to look for a brighter side to any troubling issue. That was simply not happening here. 

Addressing this anxiety breakout, I turned to my Christian ‘tool kit’ and prayed into what was going on and what to do about it. As I prayed, I read relevant Bible passages. I found Matt 6:25-33 and Luke 12:22-31 (don’t worry, God provides), and John 14:1 (which speaks about troubled hearts and trusting in God and in Jesus) to be particularly germane. Wouldn’t you know, God answered. And it was not a ‘do this or do that’ answer from God, but a reminder of a past experience.

A few years ago a female friend whom I came to know through a Bible study shared with me her battle with breast cancer. She told me of the ups and downs along with the worry and anxiety associated with that fight. She said she was going through a particularly bad period and earnestly praying about it when an unknown co-worker left a note on her desk that gave simple and loving advice: “Don’t worry, God’s got this!” That was all there was to it. She said that message was the turning point in her battle and the related angst. My friend trusted God, surrendering to Him and His will.

Remembering that conversation, I also got it: be obedient, trust God, surrender and move on to no more worry, no more anguish. That is what it takes to live a life of peace and joy that the Lord wants for us. So, how does that really work? How do we get to that point of tranquility living in the will of God?

Here’s how: surrender to our sovereign Lord! Surrendering is a transformative act of trust and obedience that involves giving up one’s own desires, plans, and control to embrace God’s will. It is as an act of faith and humility before God. Recognize God for who He is…He IS the sovereign Lord of all creation. Seek His will…sync up with Him through prayer and His Word. Trust God, embrace obedience, be humble, and completely surrender your illusion of control to the One who actually is in control. Give yourself to Jesus. Take up your cross, deny the importance of self, and follow Him in order to truly surrender. Jesus must be the focus of our lives if we truly want to surrender.

Surrendering to Jesus allows us to realize that we are not in control. It frees us to give our burdens, troubles, and worries to Him. In Matt 11:28-30, Jesus tells us what He can do to relieve our burdens as He invites us to give it to Him: “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.” Going to Jesus and giving Him your burdens is actually an act of obedience and (bonus) it is extraordinarily liberating. Peter also says it well: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7).

So, here we are. That is the story of how I got through the worry and anxiety related to my dental procedure (which, incidentally, went just fine). I trusted in God, surrendered to Him and Jesus, and gave that burden up to my Creator. The weight was lifted, I felt immediate relief and had a BP of 126/67 as I lay in the dental chair. No more anxiety. God had it! I personally need to keep reminding myself of what I wrote above. 

If you remember this far back, Bobby McFerrin wrote and performed a very popular song starting in 1988. It was called “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” It is a very upbeat and catchy tune and always makes me smile to hear it. One of his simple lyrics says, “Some trouble, don’t double. Don’t worry, be happy.” Bobby got it right; don’t worry. It does no good and only makes things worse—double trouble. Don’t worry, be happy! God has it. As always.

Father God, thank You for all You do in our lives and for using Your wisdom and power to bring things into our lives that demonstrate Your love for us and shape us into who You want us to become. The burdens of life are for us to encounter and then surrender to You—thus learning, growing, trusting, and loving You more in the process. Fill us with Your Spirit and help us to grow ever closer to You. Amen.