The expectation of summer was always an exciting time for me as a child.  My dad would get tickets to a baseball game and I would stare at those colored pieces of paper for weeks thinking about the game, dreaming of catching a foul ball or meeting one of my heroes. 

The anticipation was almost as good as the game itself because I could envision any outcome or situation that I wanted.  The sky was the limit!  Even as the final innings of the game approached, there was always another game I could dream about—this gave me a hope for the future and something I could hold onto.

Today, many of us have lost a childlike eagerness for the future and we find it difficult to live free of feelings of trepidation.  Economic instability, housing foreclosures, rising gas prices, national security issues, unemployment, aging parents and (for some) singleness leads us to believe our best days are over.  As a result, we tend to approach each day worried and anxious.  The Bible addresses these thoughts that we battle.

Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself (Matthew 6:34).

Nearly every occurrence of the word worry in the (NIV) Bible is preceded by do not.  Throughout the Old Testament and New Testament, Scripture tells us do not worry.  It is a command for us to follow.  Why?  Worrying doesn’t help, it causes further personal problems, and it shows a lack of trust in God.

Worrying Doesn’t Help
      
Jesus asks, ‘Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?’ (Matthew 6:27).

Jesus posed this question during his Sermon on the Mount, and those teachings from the first century apply to us today.  He gives us instruction on how to face anger, adultery, divorce, revenge, enemies, prayer, money and possessions—not by worrying, but by shining your light, trusting the Lord, repenting of your sins, reconciling with or confronting those who sinned against you (or who you’ve sinned against), loving and giving to your neighbor, coming clean before God, praying, and carrying out the vows you have made to the Lord.  Nowhere does he call us to worry.

I have found that worrying about my work, finances, relationships, and future solves nothing!  I fail to see or find any solution by focusing on what might happen instead of focusing on the problems themselves.

Worrying Cause Further Personal Problems

Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow.  It empties today of its strength.
— Corrie Ten Boom

I only thought that worrying could cause gray hair; however, I have learned there is an actual medical condition for worrying as well. 

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) – excessive and unreasonable worry over events or activities, such as work, school or health; inability to control or stop worrying; causes fatigue, tension headaches, sleep troubles or muscle aches.