Is worrying really a sin?

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I remember reading online somewhere that worrying is a sin. I think The Old Testament said something about it. However, I also know that there are some things in the The Old Testament that people weren’t supposed to do but now they can, so is this one of them? And if it isn’t, is it a venial sin or a mortal sin (meaning is a grave matter or not)? It seems that worrying is a normal reaction to some things. Is being stressed over not knowing what to do a type of worrying? And Is worrying only a sin in some contexts?
 
Well, it’s not just an OT thing. Remember Our Lord saying not to worry about what to eat, what to wear etc etc because God cares for the sparrows and the lilies and will give us what we need?

Of course, He usually provides for our needs by giving us the means to provide them for ourselves - eg He’ll help us to obtain a job so that we can provide for our financial needs.

So an amount of thought for the future is necessary - He won’t provide a job for us if we sit back and don’t apply to work anywhere. I wouldn’t necessary call that worry.

I don’t think so much it’s a sin to worry as it’s fruitless and shows a lack of trust that whatever situation we’re in can be used for good. And perhaps a lack of perspective as to the things that really matter.

Being stressed over not knowing what to do? First sit down and write a list of the things you can do, with the pros and cons of each. And seek advice from others. Having done so, then take your options to God in prayer, ask Him to show you the right one and trust that He will do so.
 
Worrying is not trusting in God. Everything God sends is for our greater good no matter how bad it may seem. Jesus says to pick up our cross and that not even a sparrow falls from the sky without the Father and that the very hairs of our head are numbered. To live with total trust in God takes God’s Grace.
 
What about worrying about whether or not one committed a sin?
 
cjcapta said:
What about worrying about whether or not one committed a sin?
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Life is full of grey areas and uncertainties. Instead of worrying, simply resolve to seek the advice of a priest as soon as you can.

You can’t MORTALLY sin without full knowledge and full consent, which suggest that a sin you’re uncertain about is highly unlikely to be mortal, so your mind can be at ease to that extent.
 
I used to worry like nobody else I know. I still do sometimes. I would worry about everything and anything. I was anxious all day. Over nothing. Which was more a depression thing than anything.

Anyway, since going back to the Church, and learning how to pray and being trustful in God - WOW. I sometimes worry too little (although thats probably not the case, because I am naturally more inclined to worry) now. Trusting in God was probably the biggest change in my life, and the one in which God helped me the most. I don’t worry now! I know that if I am doing what God wants me to do, that he will provide. Obviously one cannot be too lax and think that the Kingdom has come, but I am sure you understand my point. Just pray to God (and ask for mama Mary’s help!) and you’ll see 👍 And remember to give thanks when things work out (sometimes I forget to do this and I give myself credit instead!).
 
Try considering it from a different angle. Rather than asking if worrying is a sin, try thinking about what the effect of such worrying has upon oneself or others. Is the worry a loving thing to do? Does the result of it make you a better person or does it prevent you from being a good person? Does it adversely or positively affect other people?

I think that worrying in and of itself is neutral. It’s the outcome that matters.
 
Jesus sweat blood in the garden before He died and He asked His Father if this cup could pass from Him. I’m sure that Jesus had anxiety about His suffering and death. Remember, Jesus was like us in all ways except sin…

Excessive worrying is what Jesus talks about. We do need to trust in the Lord for all things and realize that we are not in control. God gave us our lives and He can take it. But worrying, in and of itself, is not a sin unless you refuse to believe that God is capable of seeing you through whatever the situation is. That’s what Jesus did on the night before He died…teachccd
 
NewsTheMan said:
I used to worry like nobody else I know. I still do sometimes. I would worry about everything and anything. I was anxious all day. Over nothing. Which was more a depression thing than anything.

Anyway, since going back to the Church, and learning how to pray and being trustful in God - WOW. I sometimes worry too little (although thats probably not the case, because I am naturally more inclined to worry) now. Trusting in God was probably the biggest change in my life, and the one in which God helped me the most. I don’t worry now! I know that if I am doing what God wants me to do, that he will provide. Obviously one cannot be too lax and think that the Kingdom has come, but I am sure you understand my point. Just pray to God (and ask for mama Mary’s help!) and you’ll see 👍 And remember to give thanks when things work out (sometimes I forget to do this and I give myself credit instead!).
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Great answer… I can relate in so many ways!! 👍
 
LilyM said:
Life is full of grey areas and uncertainties. Instead of worrying, simply resolve to seek the advice of a priest as soon as you can.

You can’t MORTALLY sin without full knowledge and full consent, which suggest that a sin you’re uncertain about is highly unlikely to be mortal, so your mind can be at ease to that extent.
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It could be a mortal sin if you can’t remember whether or not you committed it with full knowledge and full consent.
 
So is it a sin to worry about whether something you committed is a sin or not? I don’t understand how that is bad if God wants us to try to not sin and we need to be able to learn from our mistakes. And in the case of mortal sins, we aren’t supposed to take communion if we have committed them and not gone to confession yet. Can someone clarify or help to clarify the issue for me?
 
If you worry about what is a sin, then talk to a priest. Just be honest.

We all worry because of uncertainty, because of sudden changes in our lives and for other reasons. This is normal and not sinful. However, we should put our cares in the hands of God and pray for strength and guidance. We should do this daily, worried or not.

There are times when worry becomes constant, sometimes, for no reason we can see. At that point, tell your doctor about long periods of worry. If a family member is sick for a long period, sometimes the worry about their health is justified, but if we cannot tell why we are worried then talk to your doctor.

Hope this helps,
Ed
 
edwest2 said:
If you worry about what is a sin, then talk to a priest. Just be honest.

We all worry because of uncertainty, because of sudden changes in our lives and for other reasons. This is normal and not sinful. However, we should put our cares in the hands of God and pray for strength and guidance. We should do this daily, worried or not.

There are times when worry becomes constant, sometimes, for no reason we can see. At that point, tell your doctor about long periods of worry. If a family member is sick for a long period, sometimes the worry about their health is justified, but if we cannot tell why we are worried then talk to your doctor.

Hope this helps,
Ed
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Would worrying about whether one committed a sin or not fall under: “because of uncertainty, because of sudden changes in our lives and for other reasons”? And I guess that if one is just thinking about whether one committed a sin or not, it is not a sin, right?
 
Kierkegaard wrote a lot about worrying and how Christians shouldn’t worry. It is interesting stuff.
 
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