Day 1: Why Worry?
In the movie Bridge of Spies, insurance lawyer James Donovan (played by Tom Hanks) is required to defend an accused Russian Spy in court. The evidence against the spy is overwhelming. At various points throughout the movie, James Donovan asks his client, “You’re not worried?” Every time, the defendant responds by saying, “Would it help?”
The Russian Spy, Rudolph Abel, knew that he had been caught. He knew that the evidence against him was strong. He knew that he would likely be convicted, found guilty, and would either spend the rest of his life in prison, or perhaps even be sentenced to death. Despite all of this, every time he was asked if he was worried he responded the same way, “Would it help?”
In the movie Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, character Newt Scamander is quoted as saying, “My philosophy is if you worry, you suffer twice.”
As you read today, consider this: What do you find yourself most worried about in life? Would you agree that worrying doesn’t help or simply leads to suffering twice?
READING:
Matthew 11:28-30; Psalm 55:22; Proverbs 12:25
Would you agree that worrying doesn’t help, or simply leads to suffering twice?
Can you think of any circumstance in which worrying about the outcome would be helpful?
Take some time to look up additional Scripture passages about worry or anxiety. Commit to sharing a verse you discover with a family member, friend, or another loved one.
God is inviting you to change the way you think about your worries, depression and anxiety. How will you think differently this week?
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I want to move forward in life not being controlled by my fears and worries. Throughout this week, I pray that You would reveal to me the things that I worry about that lead me to unnecessary suffering. Help me to remember the truth Your Word, which says that if I cast my cares upon You, that You will sustain me. May my life always be sustained in You and in You alone. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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The only time I can think of where worrying could be of some value to us might be if we, or our family, were facing some kind of life or death situation. Not taking it seriously could possibly lead to a tragic outcome. That being said, I love the quotes. They reflect a basic truth as honest as the reality that, worrying itself, is an almost inherent flaw of our human nature, similar to that of possibly telling someone we love a small lie in order to spare them an unkind truth—we feel compelled to do so because we almost can’t help it. :O)