WHAT WOULD IT BE LIKE NOT TO WORRY?

No worries.” I literally detest that phrase. What kind of denialist says that? There is plenty to worry about. For starts, I worry that some may not know what worry is. “No worries,” apparently, has Australian roots that can mean something as benign as “You’re welcome.” We Americans have adopted and adapted it to mean, “No problem.” I have a problem with that. Worry is far more harrowing than “No problem.” Worry is thinking about problems, fears, and the future in such a way that one becomes anxious, upset, and distressed. Worry is torment. Worry is a skill. That’s why it seems so demeaning to minimalize the word and those who worry with flippant statements such as “Don’t worry about it,” “Why worry?,” and, “Most things you worry about never happen.” On that last one, “Most things you worry about never happen.”: True. But, some things you worry about do happen. Your worry is not in vain. In fact, the more things you worry about, the bigger chance you have that something you worry about will happen. Worry is such a part of life it ought to worry us when nothing worries us. If nothing meriting worry seems wrong in our lives, something must be wrong. Because, wrong is usual. What is wrong with me if I can’t see anything wrong in my life worth worrying about? If you are a worrier, don’t be down on yourself. Actually, by worrying, you reveal your superior skill and knowledge. I know something of cars. My wife knows nothing. As we travel down the highway and the car develops a peculiar rattle, my wife doesn’t worry. She doesn’t know enough about cars. With my superior knowledge of cars, I worry. I can easily extrapolate a small rattle into a precursor of a blown engine. Someone has to worry because some folks just refuse to. I don’t know if those who don’t worry are simply inattentive, disconnected from reality, defective, or deceived by their own bravado. Or, I think, perhaps, those who boast of not worrying are covering up. That’s it; they truly are worried, but they are covering it up. They are closet worriers. Not all. No. Some are too lazy to worry. Worry is a lot of work. Worry is draining. Worry is strength and joy absorbing. Thus, some people who claim to have the peace of God and do not worry are, in fact, just too lazy to care. If you insist, “No, really, I just don’t worry,” I truly worry about you. I also worry that some will not realize that this I’ve written is satire. If you didn’t realize it, I worry about my ability to write. If you did get it, I worry about my ability to worry. In all my worries, which cover a wide scope and spectrum, I have never worried about one thing: I have never worried about God worrying. God doesn’t worry. That gives me an idea: I will turn my worries over to God who doesn’t worry. He’s not too lazy to care. He can just care without worrying: He cares, but He doesn’t worry. He knows, but He doesn’t worry. He hears, but He doesn’t worry. I would really worry about you if I knew you weren’t inclined to turn your worries over to God who doesn’t worry. On more thing worries me: What it would be like not to worry? I remember folks singing back in the 70’s a song about heaven: “I Won’t Have To Worry Anymore.” I worry whether I could feel much at home in a place where there was nothing to worry about. What’s attractive about a place with no worries? For you to see what I mean, I’ll end with the words of the chorus: I won't have to worry, When I reach the other shore All my troubles will be over, And I'll rest forever more My eyes will be on Jesus, And my heart will be aglow And I won't have to worry anymore

WHAT WOULD IT BE LIKE NOT TO WORRY?

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