Ever had a sleepless night due to a relentless whirl of what-ifs, a churning jumble of distress and anxiety, a racing heart?
Worry will do that. No wonder we’ve been told worry is bad for us. In fact, according to Charles Mayo (co-founder of the Mayo Clinic), worry causes adverse affects on the circulatory system, heart, glands, and nervous system.*
But what about concern? Is that different from worry? Is it OK to be concerned?
The answer is yes. Scripture gives much evidence that even our perfect Heavenly Father exhibits concern. He demonstrates:
- Compassion on all he has made (Psalm 145:9).
- Care for each of us (1 Peter 5:7).
- Mindful attention (Hebrews 2:6).
- Watchful protection (Jeremiah 31:10).
- Careful planning for us (Psalm 40:5).
As God exemplifies, concern prompts beneficial action; worry, on the other hand, accomplishes nothing but harm.
Worry creates a thick fog of fear; concern invites God into our experience with all his wisdom, power, and comforting presence. He is, after all, the only One who can dispel fog, whether it’s water vapor in nature or worry on our minds.
Just the reminder our loving Father is right in the midst of the mess with us will do much to sweep away worry. And “there is heaven in the depth of that word—Father!” (Charles Spurgeon, emphasis added).
Indeed. If we dig into the heavenly depths of our Father’s love we’ll see:
- The support of his powerful right hand (Psalm 65:8).
- The protection of his everlasting arms (Deuteronomy 33:27).
- The comfort of being carried close to his heart (Isaiah 40:10).
And that’s just for starters.
If we dig into what we know about him, we can affirm:
- “Nothing happens in any particular unless God’s will is behind it; therefore [we] can rest in perfect confidence in him” (Oswald Chambers).
- The God who made us will equip us for whatever lies ahead—even if it’s unpleasant (Habakkuk 3:19).
- Difficulties most often set the scene for his glory to be displayed (Romans 11:36).
Sometimes, though, the fog of worry shrouds even the strongest mental images and the most affirming truths. We’re forced to admit: trustful concern is not easy.
For most of us, it is a learned discipline that grows over time. Slowly we’re able to embrace the truth that all will be well because all is in God’s perfect and capable hands. Slowly we develop the habit of affirming God’s character and power, to develop a nearly worry-less state of contentment.
And we learn the value of gratitude amidst turmoil—as illogical as that may sound. The very act of thanking God releases our minds from negative focus. When we turn our attention to him, problems fade in significance and the fog is dispersed. That’s why Paul recommended, “Pray with thanksgiving” (Philippians 4:6).
And that’s how we turn worthless worry into productive concern.
* * * * * * * * * *
I thank you, Father, that NO situation is hopeless because you are the God of eternal hope. I can count on you because you are the God of universal sovereignty, complete sufficiency, and abundant goodness.
I thank you for your comforting presence, for your power at work (even though I can’t see it right now), and for your glorious promise that you always bring good from every situation. I praise you that, while we may sow in tears, there will come the day we reap with songs of joy. Hallelujah!
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17; Romans 11:36; 2 Corinthians 3:5; Psalm 145:7;
Matthew 28:20; John 5:17; Romans 8:28; Psalm 126:5
*www.todayinsci.com.
(Art & photo credits: http://www.flicker.com; http://www.wallpaper4god.com; http://www.youtube.com; http://www.dailyverses.net; http://www.heartlight.org.)
From the Inside Out 
Nancy,
Thank you for another good blog on worry and concern. It is worded well as always. I like and now we turn worthless worry into Productive Concerns.
blessings, Janet
Thank you, Janet! Praise God for his inspiration.
I would like to use this in my Stephen Ministry works. I have a devotion I read often on worry while visiting people with illnesses. Hope you don’t mind Nancy. This puts a lot of things in perspective. Thank you.
I would be honored if you used this devotional in your Stephen Ministry works. You are more than welcome, Dave!
wow I never really pondering the difference before. Thank you for this wonderful insightful post. Loved this paragraph: Worry creates a thick fog of fear; concern invites God into our experience with all his wisdom, power, and comforting presence. He is, after all, the only One who can dispel fog, whether it’s water vapor in nature or worry on our minds. much to consider!!
Thank you, Jean. Praise God you found the post insightful!
Your post is filled with truth and insightful.
Thank you, Corazon! Your encouraging words mean much.
Concern always removes us from our trust in HIM..thank you for redirecting me back to HIM or as I like to say the Great I AM.
Oh, yes–the Great I AM. That’s a perfect name to remember when worry wants take control of our thoughts. He IS our absolute, the self-existent One who always was and always will be our Sovereign God. Thank you, Loraine!
Nancy, your post is very timely. Along with my book release (which I rejoice in and have pretty much zero concern about) my husband has been completing a project outside of installing a roof over our back deck,on the second story of our house. Of course it makes me worry about him falling.
I’ve daily had to be reminded that whatever comes our way, it must pass across God’s desk 🙂 first. I keep hearing His voice to not look at what I can see–the ladders and all–and keep my eyes on what I can’t see….God’s hand holding my husband up. Isaiah 41:10.
Oh, I love that visual of God’s righteous right hand holding your husband up. May God bless you with peace even as Bill’s hammer creates a clatter! (It IS Bill, isn’t it?!)
This Spurgeon line! “there is heaven in the depth of that word—Father!” WOW. Seeing it, sensing it, believing it afresh, all over again. What a gift at the start of a weekend, Nancy.
I also really appreciated this line: “As God exemplifies, concern prompts beneficial action;…” A world of difference between concern and worry, a world of difference, period! Or maybe that should be an ellipsis because His work is ongoing . . . 🙂
That spot-on Spurgeon quote grabbed my attention, too. The heavenly depths of “Father” is bottomless. Who could ever express enough awe and appreciation to God for being our Heavenly Father?! And you’re right, Laurie: His wise, blessed, and unstoppable work is forever ongoing. More truth to savor!
I feel like you wrote this specially for me! It couldn’t be at a better time. Thanks for reminding me that He is always in control.
Love you.
Angie
I was working on the final revision and edit when we talked to each other on the phone Thursday afternoon. Maybe this post WAS for you. (Then again, a review of worry vs. concern was valuable for me, too.) SO glad you found the post meaningful, Angie.
Thank you Nancy for this reminder to put our concerns in the hands of the Lord. Beautiful writing
Thank you, Laura. I don’t know why I’ve struggled from time to time to put my concerns in His hands and leave them there! For me it’s definitely been a learning process. Practice has not made perfect yet, but it has produced improvement.
I have shared this post with a former co-worker who has just found out that he has cancer. As for me, I am just so very grateful that God is big enough to both dwell in my heart and be in total control of my life and anxieties. (The hymn ‘How Big is God?’ comes to mind.) ‘Praying with gratitude’ is faith in action! I am so glad that God knows my heart and forgives me when I falter in my faith and am practicing worry instead of concern. Thanks for choosing such an edifying topic. It was a blessing to me.
Praise God for his timing–again! I pray your former co-worker finds encouragement through this post. I “m so sorry he and his family must face the trial of cancer. As for that hymn, ‘How Big Is God,” I’ll have to look it up. Don’t think I know that one. Cheri, I love your statement: “Praying with gratitude is faith in action.” You are so right! And, yes, praise God for his understanding and forgiveness when our faith falters. Your comments were a blessing to me!
Hi Nancy,
As things get crazier worries seem to come out of nowhere. We pray through these and concerns, too. Either way we can let the Lord work.
Thanks,
Gary
“Let the Lord work.” Great advice, Gary–thank you. God ALWAYS knows what’s best. Such comfort in such knowledge!
Dear Nancy, I happened to find your blog recently and I am really enjoying it. I look forward to it each week. Your words really speak to me. This one about worry is so helpful. Thank you so much! Dawn
Thank you, Dawn, and welcome! I’m so glad you happened to find us here and you’re enjoying the posts. Praise God the words speak to you! I pray you’ll find future posts to be meaningful and helpful.