We are reminded daily of inflation, economic downturn, supply chain issues, and scarcity. I don’t know about you but I have to do battle with worry or else I experience tomorrow’s problems today. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34
The dictionary definition of worry is: mental distress or agitation resulting from concern usually for something impending or anticipated : anxiety, apprehension, unease, disquiet, agitation
Synonyms: fear, fret, stew, fuss, stress
Biological effects of habitual worry
Suppression of the immune system
Digestive disorders
Muscle tension
Short-term memory loss
Premature coronary artery disease
WebMD Debra Fulghum Bruce, PhD
Another article listed all of the above as well as skin conditions, respiratory disorders, and sexual dysfunction.
Relational effects of habitual worry
Social isolation
Missed opportunities
Dependence on others
Negative self-image
Phobias
Anxiety disorders
Suicide
https://explorable.com/e/physical-psychological-risks-of-anxiety
Psychological effects of habitual worry
“In an anxious brain dominated by constant worries, you’re controlled by the amygdala. Its hyperstimulation impacts your cerebral cortex, reducing its activity. Likewise, the amygdala activates various areas of cerebral pain such as the anterior cingulate cortex. When worrying affects your brain, your cognitive processes fail
Memory failure
Concentration problems
Difficulty making decisions
Problems understanding messages, texts, etc.
https://exploringyourmind.com/discover-how-worrying-affects-your-brain/
It’s easy to see that worry affects us negatively. No wonder God warned us against worrying! But how do we train ourselves to reject worry and turn to productive thinking? Jesus had something to say about that.
“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God. Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!
Three Ways Worry Robs Us
1. Worry is unproductive. It never resolves the problems we fear.
“Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?” Luke 12:25-26
2. Worry steals our faith. It ignores God’s faithful care.
“And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?” Luke 12:28
3. Worry about scarcity preoccupies us and makes us forget God’s concern for us.
“And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs.” Luke 12:29-30 [Many of our needs go beyond merely the physical.]
Three Ways to Beat Worry
1. God’s Rule 
Worry is banished when we look for, ask for, and aim at experiencing God’s rule. When we put God first, he provides for us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. God enables us to experience his kingdom in every act of obedience no matter how small. In every sincere prayer, every grateful thought, every kindness, every unselfish act, every trusting thought God lets us experience his happy kingdom.
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.” Luke 12:31-32
2. Sharing
Another anecdote for worrying about scarcity is sharing what we do have. Giving to others means God will give to us in Heaven. Knowing we have rewards stored up for us will turn our thoughts and yearnings toward Heaven and away from worry. Keeping a lose grip on our possessions here weans us from depending on stuff to make us happy.
“Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Luke 12:33-34
3. Serving
Yet another cure for worry is to be active in doing God’s will remembering that our Master will return. We’ll be so busy, we won’t have time to worry!
“Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast.” Luke 12:35-36
Disclaimer: We can’t assume that Jesus is promising that no Christian will ever die of starvation or exposure because other Scriptures say otherwise. In fact, as long as we live this life, we will face adversity. (Would it really be to our benefit to never face trouble?) But through it all, our deepest needs are graciously met by God: our need for love and acceptance, forgiveness, strength, purpose, contentment, and hope.
“Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.” Romans 8:35-38
“But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised.” Hebrews 11:35-39 [not on this earth, but they did in Heaven]
How can Paul say he was never in need yet in the next sentence admit he sometimes had an empty stomach and had almost nothing? He could say it because he was never without God’s sustaining help. Although our physical circumstances may fluctuate, we have the constant strength from Jesus to face anything. Our deepest needs will always be met. Every step of the way we will know that we are loved and we can look forward to our eternal reward in a better life.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. . . Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6, 11-13, 19
For further reading: https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/does-god-promise-to-feed-and-clothe-christians
Raven photo composite of images by Valentin Petkov and Timotheus Fröbel on Unsplash