The Worthlessness of Worry

The old song says, "Don't worry. Be happy." But how can you do that when you've got a mountain of bills, your rent is being raised, your pay is being cut, you've just discovered a large oily spot under your car, or your kids are growing out of their clothes faster than the seasons change? Maybe your worries are less clear cut. You're afraid your husband will be injured at his dangerous job, or your daughter is bound to have an accident driving 50 miles/day in heavy traffic. What if someone you love acquires a devastating illness? What if they are already battling one? What in the world should you do if you shouldnt worry? Not to would be pure lunacy!

Worry is the most nonproductive emotion that human beings possess. It rarely serves any purpose except to momentarily push someone into needed action. This is how you determine if worrying will do any good. If a situation upsets you and there is something you can do about it, worry can often be the motivation to get started and switch into high gear. The problem is that eight times out of ten, worry is of the completely fruitless type. It is the result of feeling trapped in an uncontrollable situation that is causing, or threatening to cause, some sort of pain,shame,or difficulty.

Sometimes we spend our time mapping out plans for weeks to come, and then squander more time worrying whether things will go as planned. We agonize about the past, which is long over with, and project into the future with as much dread. We can't keep our minds focused, can't concentrate on our families and life, and walk around feeling confused because our minds are engaged in useless apprehension. We feel stupid when things we were sick over end up never occurring anyway, and still we fail to see the worthlessness of worry.

There is a wonderful little prayer many people use to help themselves decide if a problem is worth the anguish of worrying over, or whether the issues should be handed over, to God perhaps, so that time could be better spent on difficulties that could be resolved with action. It is called The Serenity Prayer, and it says: