Worry and Despair Sin?

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Is it sinful to worry excessively? to the point of despair? I struggle with this and very often fall into total despair over serious situations which would be extremely troubling to anyone. It seems like a lack of trust in God. I would just like your thoughts on this matter. Thank you!
 
My priest said the same thing. Despair is a sin because it displays lack of trust in the Lord.

Worry is something most people do to one extent or another. If you can say, “Lord, I am worried about X but I trust in your power and mercy,” then I think you’re all right. If you can’t, then despair has taken over and you’re essentially saying you have no hope that God can or will come to your assistance.

Regardless, worry is useless. By itself, no amount of worry is going to change a situation. It takes energy to worry, energy that could be put to better use.
 
Yes & no. On the one hand, it can be a symptom of a lack of faith in God, or lead to it. On the other hand, there could be mental/emotional problems behind it. I’m a major worrier and trying to change has been difficult. I’ve had the most success by attacking the problem from both sides. Counseling helped, talking with others who understand helps, prayer helps, and so does confession.

When it comes to a worriers’ prayers, I haven’t found that praying for peace of mind helps at all. What really helps is praying for those I am worried about.
 
Despair/hopelessness is a sign of depression. If one is diagnosed with depression, I don’t think they are sinning for having that feeling.

If you have excessive worry and despair, I would talk to your primary care physician.
 
I certainly feel despair and anxiety towards this world, but I feel great joy and faith when it comes to the Hereafter.

How do I deal with the despair and anxiety? Well, meds do not work for me.

What does appear to be beneficial is Contemplative Prayer. I know that Centering Prayer is a banned topic, and I do not intend to discuss it per se, but I find it helpful to just lay in my bed, let go of all worldly thoughts and images, and focus all my awareness on either the thirst that my soul has for God or just my trust in God – no real thoughts per se, but an intense inner awareness that reflects my state of being and longing for God.

…which is exactly what John of the Cross is saying: learn to be at home in the darkness, do not run away from it, do not fight it or even try to understand it, embrace it -‘the night has eyes’. A new and different world is being born, what seem to be death pangs are in fact birth pangs, the soul in darkness is being renewed and transfigured; a new and [wonderful] beauty is born. Painful though it may be, there is in fact no other way except the way of trust and surrender, and ultimately of belief in the creative and transforming power of love. John’s invitation to accept ‘the dark ray of contemplation’ may not be easy, but there is no other way.
-Eugene McCaffrey, OCD

LOVE! ❤️
 
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