Disasterbating

Jesus said: “Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?” -Matthew 6:27 (NRSV) 

In my experience, worry is future oriented. Because the future is always out of reach, we are free to concoct as many catastrophes as we can imagine. How often does reality measure up to our doomsday scenarios? Almost never. 

Worrying is addictive. Worry is a form of fear that releases juicy doses of adrenaline into the bloodstream. Those who enjoy extreme sports, horror films, and risky activities might be doping on adrenaline. Disasterbating is a rush. 

Compared to other drugs, adrenaline might appear harmless, but I’m not so sure. The lessons of January 6, 2021, or the hysteria over fabricated threats such as “critical race theory” testify to the dangerous power of repeated doping on anger and fear. 

Jesus said, “Don’t worry.” I have a feeling he said it a lot. Because learning to love, allowing love to rise above our worries and fears, is the purpose of this life. That’s our only job: No matter what life throws at us, no matter how crappy things get, no matter if the country falls apart, we keep showing up with love. That’s it. 

Jesus revealed what a life of love looks like in an anxious, fear-filled world, which is why any form of Christianity based on worry, fear, and disasterbating is anti-Christ.  

Prayer
Worried? Me? I’m afraid so, Jesus. Just for today, help me put it aside so that love can flow.

Small Group Discussion

About the Author
Matt Laney is co-Pastor of Virginia Highland Church UCC in Atlanta, GA and the author of Pride Wars, a fantasy series published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for Young Readers. The first two books, The Spinner Prince and The Four Guardians are available now.