Worry Wart

I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. – Psalm 121:1-2 (NRSV) 

I am what you would call a “worry wart.” I worry. A lot. So, instead of giving up chocolate for Lent (which is hard for a chocoholic like me), I decided to give up worrying. 

But not worrying is hard! 

I mean, come on, there is so much to worry about every single day. Families facing hunger and poverty, veterans living on the streets, loved ones gunned down, community members struggling with mental illness, addiction and trauma ruining lives and wiping out dreams. The list is endless. 

Even as I write this devotion, my phone won’t stopped buzzing with frantic texts from my daughter fighting with a customer that is giving her the run around for work they haven’t paid her for, while she is desperately trying to make plans to travel to be with her dying father. 

How can I not worry? I care too much not to! 

If I stop worrying will people start to think I don’t care? Should I be worried about this? Agh! It is so easy to spiral out of control. 

Maybe this is why the psalmist starts with a moment of perspective outside of herself. Not expecting answers from the hills, but finding clarity in asking the question out loud. The bold beauty of the hills reminding her of God’s power and presence around her and within her. 

Prayer
Gracious God, I turn to you this Lenten season seeking to be delivered from the lie that caused me to believe that if I don’t worry it means I don’t care. You are the source of my peace. I trust you and I rejoice in knowing that you are with me even when life is hard. Amen.

About the Author
Marilyn Pagán-Banks (she/her/ella) is a queer womanist freedom fighter gratefully (though not always gracefully) serving as executive director of A Just Harvest, Senior Pastor at San Lucas UCC, and adjunct professor at McCormick Theological Seminary. She is a joyful contributor to The Words of Her Mouth.