I mentioned last week we have the choice to worry over situations that are out of our control or we can be concerned about the unknown with the assurance that we are not alone.
What is worry? Worry is a mental habit which leads to feeling anxious. Why is that? Because worry always looks forward into the unknown where there is uncertainty, usually viewed with negative results. Worry is all about the unending, “What-ifs” in life. An alternative is to focus mental energy on concern.
Concern involves caring and meeting a need. Consider the Tin Man and Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz: The Scarecrow was worried there might be wild animals that may eat straw. The Tin Man reassures him that while there may be such an animal the likelihood of being eaten is highly unlikely. Besides there are bigger concerns; finding the Wizard. So, stop looking for problems that 85% of the time never materialize and start thinking about finding the Wizard.
Concern is not so much introspection, but extrospection; that is looking outside or beyond yourself. It involves the ability to see the real world, feel empathy or compassion and genuinely care about others. Concern says: you are in the forest, take precautions, but don’t lose your head. Keep moving forward and solve the problem when and if they come about. Unlike worry, concern promotes action that is in your control and works to solve a real problem and not a hypothetical “what-if” problem.
Consider the following comparisons: (Dr. Linda Mintle)
WORRY CONCERN
Circles the problem Solves the problem
Brings inaction Brings action
Feels out of control Takes control where possible
Distracts from the problem Focuses on the problem
Disrupts a plan Puts forth a plan
Luke 12:25-26 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life[a]? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
Pr. Bob Snitzer
By the Way:
Today: 3:45 Confirmation class.
October 1, 9:00 AM Morning worship. Sermon: 1 Samuel 5:1-12. The Heavy Hand of God
10:15 Sunday school for all ages.
2-3:30 Today we begin GriefShare. Please tell and invite others. For more information go to: https://www.griefshare.org/findagroup or contact Pr. Bob or Sue Reese
~ Past communiques and sermons can be read and heard on our website: www.pilotknob.org and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PilotKnobLutheran/
Sermons may be heard on KIOW 107.3 FM Sunday mornings at 7:00. Spread the word. If you would like to support this outreach with a contribution, it costs $55 each week.
