Idols of metal or stone are not commonly worshipped in our Western world; but they’re certainly there, especially among some immigrant communities. It’s commonplace to hear in churches about the dangers Christians face from idols of a different sort: the dangers of worshipping money, sex, food, sports, etc. But there’s another idol which is often set up in many of our hearts, one which I, alas, am frequently guilty of worshipping. The name of that false god is Worry.
Yes, even attitudes can become idols, and Worry is one of them. What our personal worries might be can vary considerably; but their common feature is this: I’m at risk of losing something I need, and I have got to figure out what I can do to prevent that from happening!
“Well, if it’s something we actually need, doesn’t that make worrying about it a good thing?” The subject of the worrying might indeed be a good thing; but the worrying itself most definitely is not. Yes, we must exercise careful stewardship over every blessing which God has most mercifully given, and not take anything for granted, especially those things which are truly needful. But to repeat: it is God who has mercifully given us every good thing we have! As Jesus said,
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes?
If God…clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? (Matthew 6:27-28, 30 NIV)
“Of little faith.” This is where Worry becomes an idol, an alternative to the One God. Idolatry always involves a person transferring their faith and trust (which rightly belongs to God) to something else. Again, the particular subject we’re worried about might be a perfectly good thing; but in the idolatry of Worry, we are essentially saying, “God can’t handle this problem; it’s too big for him”; or “God hasn’t answered my prayers: I’ve got to try something else!” And that something else, first and foremost, is us! When we worry, we’re trusting our own wisdom, and stressing and fretting until we can figure out our own solution to the problem, rather than trusting that God will provide. And like all idols, Worry can’t provide a single blessed thing!
“But worrying is natural!” Sure it’s natural…in a fallen world, that is; it’s as natural as sin! Rather than bowing to the idol of Worry, we should be bowing to God in prayer, asking him to provide the solution to our crisis. Jesus said,
Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things [we worry about] will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)
There are many problems in today’s world tempting us to bow down and worry, especially for us Canadians. But in the words of the Canadian hymn-writer Joseph Scriven’s most famous hymn, “Take it to the Lord in prayer!”
1 JOHN 5:21: Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
– Andrew MacLeod
Prepare your heart for Sunday by reading the passage and listening to the songs we’ll sing.