Worry and Worship Cannot Coexist!

The definition of worry is well known and easily understood: “Mental distress or agitation resulting from concern usually for something impending or anticipated” [Merriam-Webster Dictionary].  Likewise, the definition of worship is also well known though not as easily understood: “An act of expressing reverence offered to a divine being or supernatural power” [Merriam-Webster Dictionary].

We all have many situations which cause us to experience worry.  Those of us who believe in a “divine being or supernatural power” have many situations which cause us to worship. Both of these human experiences can be intentional or unintentional.  One thing I have learned as a follower of Christ is that worry and worship cannot coexist.  When worry fills our hearts we are in no condition to worship God; and as we are worshipping God we cannot start worrying about anything.  We may flip back and forth quickly between the two, but never will they both occupy our hearts and minds at the exact same time.  Can’t happen.  Never has.  Never will.

The intentional worries in our lives are situations which we go into knowing that something could happen which causes us to experience mental distress or agitation over what is about to happen.  We see a situation ahead and choose worry over peace.  We have been here before and know that we “need” to show and feel fear.

On the other hand, when we left our house, the roads were clear and the weather was sunny; but only 20 minutes later we enter a blizzard and the roads are covered with ice.  Unintentional fear grabs our heart and mind causing us to grip the steering wheel and slow down considerably. 

In the book I share true situations where I and others experienced very real fear, both the “intentional” and the “unintentional” kinds of fear.  In hindsight, and of course with guidance by the Holy Spirit, I can easily now see when the fear was replaced by worship.  Indeed, the move from worry to worship generally is accompanied by “Thank you Lord” – e.g., my walk from the physician’s office to my car after hearing I had “very aggressive prostate cancer;” after a three-week trial of a complex medical malpractice wrongful death case when the defense attorney presented a “motion for directed verdict” at 11:00pm; and when I drove up the very narrow road leading to the top of Pikes Peak in Colorado.

The Merton Prayer’s “I will not fear” is not a magical incantation, but since 1990 when I first read it, those words have helped me live out my belief that worry and worship cannot coexist.  Reciting this prayer in moments of fear helps me focus on God and not me, which seems to pretty easily result in more worship and less worry.  May God bless you richly with the words of The Merton Prayer – fear is overcome and erased by focusing on the fact that God is “ever with me” and “will never leave me to face my perils alone.”  Thank you Lord!

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