The Tupelo journal., 1902-10-24
THE SIN OF WORRY.
II Not Only Useless But Harmful
Gods Peace In the Heart
Will Danish 1t.

Scarcely any other fault or sin is
so often condemned in the Bible as
worry, says Wellspring. Probably
the reason for the frequency of ex-
hortations upon this subject is the
commences of the habit. Almost
everybody worries. Even among
Christians one who is never anxious
is rarely found. Some one says that
IT people were to be saved by not
worrying, only a small Heaven would
be needed to contain all the elect.
The continual repetition of the les
son against anxiety suggests also
how serious an evil it is. We do not
usually think of it, however, in this
way. We scarcely regard worry as a
sin at ali. At the worst, it is thought
of as an infirmity of certain MINDS.
We admit that it is not a good or
beautiful habit-that is, in other
people. In ourselves we probably de-
fend it as something unavoidable and
altogether excusable. "If you had
my circumstances, you would worry,
too" is the way certain people meet
all e~xhortations against anxiety.
We ought to be honest enough with
ourselves to look at this matter
frankly, without excuse or apology.
There are several things about wor-
ry which we should remember. One
is its uselessness. What good does
it do? Does any amount of fretting
nuar ~ ran1nua thn thir~ xra fra+
about? One man thinks he is too
short. His abbreviated stature makes
him conspicuous among people. Ev-
eryone notices it. He wishes he were
taller. Because he is not. he wor-
ries and life loses much of it's zest
and pleasure for him. But what
comes out of all his anxiety? (which
of you by being anxious" asked the
Master, ''can add one cubit unto his
stature?"
1t is the same with other worries.
Anxiety lever drove a cloud from the
sky, nor kept away a frost, nor tenn
pered a chill wind, nor brought rain.
When we are dealing with the newt
able, there is not the slightest use in
resisting it, in chatting or fretting
over it.. The only reasonable and sem
sible thing for us to do is to- accept
it and meet it with cheerfulness and
with a song. Worry is useless.
Another thing we should remember
about worry is that it is hurtful.
Not only is it Intellectual in bringing
to us the things we desire, but it does
untold harm to those who indulge in
it. 1t makes unhappiness. There are
thousands of people who might live
~joyously if only they would give up
being anxious. Anxiety spoils every
rare June day for them by fiecking
its sky with clouds. The heart makes
the life. 1t colors every scene with
the hue of its wv feeling. A joyous
heart makes all the world lovely.
Every simple flower is sweeter when
there is sunshine within. But when
one is vexed and fretted, the fairest
things in the world are "sicklied
DER" Worry robs the world of
more than half it's beauty.
Then, worry hurts ones own life.
The problem of living is not to avoid
disappointments, burdens, struggles,
tasks, temptations, sorrows, but in
all these experiences to keep the
heart sweet and unframed, gentle,
rejoicing, trusting. But when one
let's anxiety into the heart, one has
failed in the problem, and the life
has been harmed. Anxiety makes the
spirit restless and feverish, destroy
ing it's peace. Even the physical eff
fects are injurious. Many nervous
breakdowns, as they are called, are
but the result of worry. People say
overwork is the cause, but work hurts
no one if the joy of the Lord stays
in the heart. 1t is worry that wears
out the nerves.
Even the face soon shows the
traces of anxiety. 1t loses it's light,
its repose, it's quiet, it's happy shin
ing. Lines of care are plowed in it.
The thoughts make the face.
Thoughts of peace write peace all
over the features. Anxious thoughts
soon work out into the ~countenance,
so that all the world knows there is
a disturbed, vexed, fretted spirit
within.
Worry also hurts ones influence.
A radiant heart, filed with Gods per-
feet peace, gives a charm to ones
personality, which adds immeasur-
ably to ones power for usefulness.
Wherever joyous people go they carry
cheer, making life joyous for every
one they meet, and making the world
brighter and sweeter. But anxiety
dims the brightness Of the noblest
life.
Good people do not know how much
their habit of worrying lessons their
influence for good. Only faith in our
own hearts can dispel doubt in
others. An uncomfortable mourner
cannot be a comforter of those who
+ sorrowing. A man who has failed
to master the circumstances Of his
w life canpot help his brother to
be more than conqueror over his
Grials. It was because Jesus could
say: II have overcome the world
that He could say also to His dis
ciples: I'm Me We shall have peace"
It is only when we have overcome the
world and ere victorious over all care