Don't worry???

[k5thbeatle]

I know we are called to put our trust in God and to not worry about everyday type stuff and take up our daily crosses. I do believe this. But I have two questions related to this.

Number one is; is it therefore a sin to worry?

Number two; on a practical level, how does one “not worry”? As an example, when the bills are due and there’s not enough money and/or you hear some bad news about an illness or whatever…how does one, being human, not worry a little bit?

Thanks

 

[JRKH]

This requires a certain breaking out of emotions and needs.

Basically

Worry - impedes Trust which is an essential component of Faith. So to the extent one is able, one needs to minimize or eliminate worry and work to strengthen Trust.

Yes, when one has issues to deal with one can begin to “worry” about how to handle them. It’s what one does with this “worry” (concern) that is important. Don’t dwell on it for that will erode trust can lead to despair

First one should pray for peace, guidance and for God’s Will. Praise God for His many blessings, past, present and future. Then make whatever plans you can in order to deal with the particular situation. Praise God again for helping you deal with whatever needs dealt with and then move on.

Trust God, Do what you can and then Rest in God…Repeat as needed

Peace
James

 

[Spencerian]

I know we are called to put our trust in God and to not worry about everyday type stuff and take up our daily crosses. I do believe this. But I have two questions related to this.

Number one is; is it therefore a sin to worry?

Number two; on a practical level, how does one “not worry”? As an example, when the bills are due and there’s not enough money and/or you hear some bad news about an illness or whatever…how does one, being human, not worry a little bit?

Thanks

Hi.

Anxiety is one of our many crosses to bear. Christ tells us how to endure it in the whole of the Book of Matthew, Chapter 6. Here, He even tells us how to pray. Pay specific attention to verses 25-34.

Now Christ doesn’t necessarily say that God is going to be a piggy bank or fixer of all problems. He appears to suggest that, while you manage your daily concerns, do not be overwhelmed by them, and to seek the Lord’s guidance and comfort when–*not * “if”–things become unbearable at times. God will always give you what you require if you keep to His love, although what, when and where is a matter for Him to decide.

“Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.”

 

[k5thbeatle]

I have a friend in another city that is struggling with his business. I know he is trying hard and I’ve tried to console him but as he told me, “Everyday I wake up my financial woes are on my mind no matter how much I try, I worry about my business.” I was a bit caught off guard and didn’t know what to say?

 

[JRKH]

I have a friend in another city that is struggling with his business. I know he is trying hard and I’ve tried to console him but as he told me, “Everyday I wake up my financial woes are on my mind no matter how much I try, I worry about my business.” I was a bit caught off guard and didn’t know what to say?

Not much one can say.
Let him know that you are praying for him and remind him that, even in his troubles, God is near.
Then be as good a friend as you can be. keep in touch, ask him how things are going (but not constantly) so he knows he can talk to you if he wishes. Speak about other things too, be upbeat etc…
Show him, through you, the love of Christ.

Peace
James

 

[Boulder257]

I know we are called to put our trust in God and to not worry about everyday type stuff and take up our daily crosses. I do believe this. But I have two questions related to this.

Number one is; is it therefore a sin to worry?

Number two; on a practical level, how does one “not worry”? As an example, when the bills are due and there’s not enough money and/or you hear some bad news about an illness or whatever…how does one, being human, not worry a little bit?

Thanks

Thank you for your question. I just want you to know I am struggling with the exact same thing, so you are not alone. I am actually going to talk to my priest about it tomorrow, so I will let you know what he has to say.

 

[Edward_Henry]

I have heard that:

Courage is not the absence of fear, it is the conquering of our fear.

Faith is not the absence of moments of doubt, it is the conquering of our douts.

Trust is not the absence of worries, it is the conquering of those worries.



I believe the sun is there even when it is covered by the clouds…
I believe that God is there even when He is clouded by my doubts.

To Jesus through Mary

 

[Della]

For several years my dh couldn’t get steady work, only occasional short term contract jobs. We nearly lost our house and had to sell everything we didn’t need to try to keep our heads above water, as well as filing for bankruptcy. All we had was trust in God to get us through and the prayers of family and friends.

We had to learn to walk like people in a dark forest at night–with nothing but the lamp of faith to show us where to put our next step. We learned not to ask God why–that only feeds the feelings of being overwhelmed, but instead to ask him what he wanted us to do in our circumstances.

Your friend may have to let his business go or he may have to file for bankruptcy or look for supplemental work, but he should not despair even if everything looks black but only seek what God wants him to do–to be open to whatever God wishes for him and his family.

We worry because we want to hang on to what we have, but life is filled with change–that’s a sign of being alive. So, that’s what we did.–we embraced change, took advantage of every avenue open to us, and let go of anything we didn’t need. God was there for us in it all, and he will be for your friend, as well, and all who are in the similar circumstances who look to him. I will pray for you friend and for you, too, Boulder257.

 

[k5thbeatle]

For several years my dh couldn’t get steady work, only occasional short term contract jobs. We nearly lost our house and had to sell everything we didn’t need to try to keep our heads above water, as well as filing for bankruptcy. All we had was trust in God to get us through and the prayers of family and friends.

We had to learn to walk like people in a dark forest at night–with nothing but the lamp of faith to show us where to put our next step. We learned not to ask God why–that only feeds the feelings of being overwhelmed, but instead to ask him what he wanted us to do in our circumstances.

Your friend may have to let his business go or he may have to file for bankruptcy or look for supplemental work, but he should not despair even if everything looks black but only seek what God wants him to do–to be open to whatever God wishes for him and his family.

We worry because we want to hang on to what we have, but life is filled with change–that’s a sign of being alive. So, that’s what we did.–we embraced change, took advantage of every avenue open to us, and let go of anything we didn’t need. God was there for us in it all, and he will be for your friend, as well, and all who are in the similar circumstances who look to him. I will pray for you friend and for you, too, Boulder257.

Might be the best response I’ve ever read!

 

[Boulder257]

For several years my dh couldn’t get steady work, only occasional short term contract jobs. We nearly lost our house and had to sell everything we didn’t need to try to keep our heads above water, as well as filing for bankruptcy. All we had was trust in God to get us through and the prayers of family and friends.

We had to learn to walk like people in a dark forest at night–with nothing but the lamp of faith to show us where to put our next step. We learned not to ask God why–that only feeds the feelings of being overwhelmed, but instead to ask him what he wanted us to do in our circumstances.

Your friend may have to let his business go or he may have to file for bankruptcy or look for supplemental work, but he should not despair even if everything looks black but only seek what God wants him to do–to be open to whatever God wishes for him and his family.

We worry because we want to hang on to what we have, but life is filled with change–that’s a sign of being alive. So, that’s what we did.–we embraced change, took advantage of every avenue open to us, and let go of anything we didn’t need. God was there for us in it all, and he will be for your friend, as well, and all who are in the similar circumstances who look to him. I will pray for you friend and for you, too, Boulder257.

Wonderful answer and very helpful. Please know that your prayers are both welcome and appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Della]

I’m glad my words were helpful. My dh and I learned the truth of these sacred words from what we went through:

Rom.5 [3] More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, [4] and endurance produces character, and character produces hope…

Hope is born of suffering but it’s a process not something that just drops into our lap. If we want to learn to hope we have to want to bear our cross gladly, knowing that the cross is the only way to the crown of glory.

 

[nuntym]

+JMJ+

In my life, I have found that what G.K.Chesterton about how Christianity treats emotions and passions is actually the best way, as if Christianity, specifically Catholicism, had always known how the emotions work.

It all is based on this saying: “Putting your heart in the right place.” That is, place what’s in your heart in the right place: your will, passions, emotions.

For example, what does it say in the Scriptures about fear? Should you abolish all fear? No it does not, it tells you to fear just one thing: “But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear him!” (Luke 12:5)

In my life, what happens when I follow this, when I shunt ALL my fear into this fear, the fear of the Lord, is that I become more fearless on other things.

Courage is not about conquering fear, it is about using fear.

God love you.