The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1917-12-07
Nashville, Tenn, Dec. z, II.
ANXIETY.

when we consider the ordinary
lives of unmarried man, we must
give them our pity, for they have
deprived themselves Of anxiety" Thus
runs a quotation from an article by
W. L. George in Harpers Magazine.
1t is a strange saying. 1t challenges
our attention. No one who had not
suffered anxiety could or would have
written it.
Specifically considered, the afTirma-
tion that the man who has deprived
himself of anxiety is entitled to our
pity provokes a quite smile Of spepti.
ctsm, as if anxiety could be a thing
TO be desired, or invited. But is it
not true? We are for the most part
disposed to be envious OF the indiyi.
dual who is able to avoid anxiety.
Upon whom time and circumstances
have smiles, whose way through life
is undisturbed by care. But, examin-
ing the matter from another angle
we are able to discern that he who
knows not anxiety has missed one of
the great experiences Of life. The in
qividual, whether man or woman. who
has not experienced anxiety has not
fully lived. No one can attain full
stature without that experience.
Anxiety is one of the means by
which character is formed Anxiety
involves a certain measure of suffer-
ing, and through suffering we are
strengthened. In the cruCible OF suf.
fering the spirit is refined, as reel
GUS metals are separated from dross
in the smelter's furnace. Anxiety is
mental and spiritual discipline.
Anxiety begets a whole train Of vir
tues among which are courage.
patience, unselfshness, sympathy,
Jhoughtfulness and kindness, which is
another word for love. Anxiety stimu-
ate self-forgetfulness and humility
Anxiety distills the rebellious emo.
lions, and the prOduct is undiluted
affection, as pure as the snowflake
freshly fallen from the heavens
Anxiety broadens tn. sympathy and
the understanding of man, and all who
are called upon at one time or another
suffer it are united by common
bond Of fellowship.
Anxiety invades all ranks Of life, !
levels all ranks. Like death, it is no
respecter of persons. 1t is present in
the humble homes of the poor and in
the habitations of the wealthy. Money
is pOwerless to bar the door against
1t. Indeed, the wealthy and the great
more frequently are called upon to
suffer anxiety than the poor and the
obscure. In its presence riches be-
come futile and as nothing Some of
the things Of life, we discover, are
not purchasable with money.
But anxiety is not to be confused
with worry. Anxiety ennobles, !
strengthens Worry invites despair; ,
it is a disease which kills. Anxiety
is proper, but worry is worse than
futile. Anxiety perhaps should not
be invited deliberately, but worry
should be Stunned as pestilence is
avoided. The Great Teacher COM
mands us not to worry, cautiOning us
to avoid anxious thought about such
things as meat and raiment, to take
no thought for the morrow, for
which Of you by taking thought can
add one cubit to his stature?" And
then he adds: But seek We first the
kingdom Of God and his righteous.
ness, and all these things shall be
added unto you"
1t is not possible for many of us to
deprive ourselves of anxiety in this
life. Few Of us are without it in some
form. Nearly everyone is anxious
about his business affairs, or his work
or his loved ones, or something else
which is close to his heart. No good
work is done in the world without
certain measure of anxiety. No
great, deep love is free of anxious
thought.