Don't Worry, Be Happy

Many of you probably remember the Bobby McFerrin song called, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”. It was the first a cappella song to reach number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1988. I think this song struck such a chord in people’s hearts because we always seem to be worried about something. I’ve even noticed that we sometimes wear worry like it’s a badge of honor, as if it’s our duty to worry about others. We worry about our children and whether they will be safe. We worry that we’re going to lose our job. We worry that we won’t find that special someone to share our life with. We worry about our health. And the list goes on… But as Christians, that’s not what we are called to. In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus tells us not to worry. How do you know that you’re worrying? When you find yourself thinking about something over and over, and you are afraid of a bad outcome, then you are worrying. Have you really ever sat down to consider that worrying is a sin?  Why would it be a sin? Because you’re not trusting God to take care of the situation. You want to handle it on your own because you want to be in control. You can even get into pride when, whether you are consciously thinking about it or not, your actions show that you think you can do a better job controlling the situation than God. One thing I’ve realized is that when I think I’m in control of the things that go on around me, I’m just fooling myself. The only thing I can control is myself – my thoughts and my actions. And even then, I still need God’s help. What we need to do is give our anxiety and worries over to God. Lay them as a sacrifice on God’s altar. And when that worry tries to crawl off the altar -- and it will, you need to put it right back up there and give it to God again. The more you do this, the easier it will become. The side effects of worry cause stress on your body, which can even lead to illness. Jesus warned us about this in Matthew 6:27, when he said, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” So let’s ask God to remind us when we are worrying so that we can give it up to Him. He knows what’s going on in your life, and He’s already working behind the scenes in that situation. You just need to put your trust in Him, and thank Him, knowing that He is in control.  Remember, we have the choice of whether we are going to worry, or be happy.  So choose wisely.  Don't worry, be happy!




Dear Heavenly Father,
You are the all-knowing, all-powerful God. I thank You that You are already working behind the scenes in the situations that are causing me to worry. Please forgive me for the sin of worrying. Help me to turn from my sin and lay my worries at your feet. Lord, I ask that when worry comes into my mind, that You would remind me to turn it over to you. Please help me not to pick it back up again. Lord, I trust You to take care of me and my loved ones. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.