Have you ever heard a sermon on Christ’s words in Matthew 6.25-34, ‘Do not worry’? And did the preacher conclude that worry is a sin?
As a family doctor for over 20 years, I struggle with that. The intention may be to comfort and exhort, but, in concluding that worry is a sin, we may inadvertently exacerbate the sufferings of those we are trying to help.
There are many anxious people out there — lots in the congregation — for whom worry is an unwelcome part of life. It adds to their guilt and grief to be assured that not only are they anxious, they are also sinful, faithless and maybe not even born again. As one preacher said: ‘Worry and faith are incompatible!’
