The Idol of Worry

“And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life’s span?  If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters?” (Luke 12:25,26)

Despite what we have been told, Jesus actually spoke very little about money or matters of the law.  While these were often the “launching points” or metaphors of preference, the underlying theme in much of Jesus’ teaching was about eliminating idolatry.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” (Duet. 6:5)

“You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Ex. 20:3)

When we aren’t careful, we can mistakenly assume that idolatry is a thing of the past – relics from antiquity pertaining to simple-minded polytheistic pagans.  And so we wipe our hands and feel smug about our superior knowledge and cultural advancements over these barbaric cave men.

But when we read these words from the Torah – from Exodus and Deuteronomy, which Jesus himself quotes in Matt. 22:37, Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27, etc. – we see clearly that idolatry has a far broader definition than that of mere figurines and statues.  Anything at all that we allow to take precedence in our heart, mind, [soul] or strength before God is an idol – a false god we are bowing down to.

These idols enslave us and paralyze us.  They steal away our joy and pleasure.  They rot our brains and rot our souls, corrupting our humanity and purpose.

“But God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish [in their idolatry] but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

The gift of salvation is about freeing us from the bondage, sin, death and corruption of idolatry, and instead empowering us to live fully awake, alive and alert with joy, purpose and wholeness.

So it’s not a question of wanting us to stop having “fun.”  But rather it’s a question of wanting us to stop destroying ourselves.  Idolatry is dangerous, insidious and destructive.  

And perhaps one of the worst things about idolatry is how diverse and subtle it is.  In fact, most of our modern idols are things that are neither good nor bad by themselves, but rather neutral.  And so it is instead the way that we prioritize and worship them that turns them into idols.

For example, stewardship is one of the first facets of good and meaningful work that God had given man in the creation account, and in its proper relationship it is a beautiful and significant thing.  However, we can choose to worship that stewardship above God in different ways – through an excessive love of influence or relationships, work or finances, causes or passions, hobbies or talents, and the list goes on.

One of the most overlooked and least addressed idols plaguing humanity is the idol of worry.

Worry stems from a lack of trust – trust in God, trust in people, etc.

Worry is a debilitating and fruitless form of fear, and fear is what determines our psychological limitations.

Isn’t it curious that the most common greeting from visiting angels (as well as Jesus after the Resurrection) was “Fear not,” or depending on your translation, “Don’t be afraid”?  And isn’t it also curious that this greeting was never used until after the Fall – until after humanity worshipped its first idol (themselves)?

Clearly there is a link between idolatry and fear.  When we refuse to find our rest and peace in the true God, we are met with cheap imitation after cheap imitation, and with each “bait-and-switch” disappointment, we find ourselves less and less willing to trust anyone.  And as this mistrust grows and festers we find ourselves feeling more and more anxious and more and more worried.

But the anxiety and the worry are only cheap, disappointing idols themselves.  They achieve no good.  They produce no benefit.  They are not worthy to be called “god” nor to receive your worship – your willful, intentional focus and devotion.

“And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life’s span?  If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters?” (Luke 12:25,26)

The Greek rendering of this passage actually paints a more comical depiction: “Which of you by worrying can add to his stature one cubit?”  The word for “stature” is “helikia,” which refers to maturity either in years or in size.  And of course a cubit was a unit of measure equal to roughly 18 inches.  

This is meant to be an outrageously silly concept: “who can add 18 inches to their age or height by worrying?”  This hyperbole is intended to get our attention.  

Oh that we may begin to trust our wonderful Lord, and Him alone.  

Oh that we may begin to forsake our idols and the destruction they produce.

Oh that we may find life, and life abundant in Christ.

Oh that we may give up the idol of worry.