IS WORRY A SIN? - By Ted Carnahan

Image courtesy of "Peanuts" by Charles Schultz

Jesus told his followers not to worry (Matthew 6:25-34). 
If I worry a lot, am I a true believer?

There are really two questions here: First, who is a ‘true believer?’ 

A lot of people think that there is some ideal of Christian perfection that we must reach to be “real Christians.” But there has only been one perfect person in history, and you’re not Him.

Let’s do away with the idea that ‘true believers’ are sinless, flawless people.  Believers in Jesus are people who recognize that they sin – but despite that, that they are deeply loved by God.  Yes, we do strive to follow God’s law, but we also know that we do that imperfectly. We are all sinners – anyone who tries to deny that is trying to sell you something.  That’s why we are called daily to return to our grace-filled, forgiving God.

Now for the other question: Is worry a sin?

Sometimes it can be.

Worry comes with caring about something.  It’s good to worry that your toddler might fall down the stairs and to respond to that worry by putting up a gate.   But the word often translated ‘worry’ here in Matthew and the similar passage in Luke carries with it the idea of being apprehensive, anxious, and overly concerned about something.

Followers of Jesus try hard to remember that we don’t have to be overly concerned or anxious about the future because we know that our lives are ultimately in God’s Hands. Worry becomes a sin when we let it threaten our trust in God.  Don’t let worry become an obstacle to trusting in our loving God’s protection and care.