EXPRESSIONS OF FAITH
Faith is the antidote to worry

By Harvey Ching

I come from a family of worrywarts. At least that is the description I've grown accustomed to hearing.

It seems that worry has developed into a fine art among certain family members. There are the usual worries of the day: What will our meals be like? Should I drink water from the tap? It may have unwanted chemicals. (Perhaps bottled water is the way to go.) What will I wear to go shopping? If parking is tight, how will I get all my errands done?

And the list goes on.

Not only that, we have the worries of the family. How are my brothers? Will they lose their jobs in today's tight economy? If they do, they won't be able to feed their families.

If that were not enough, I can take on the world: terrorism, famine, wars, SARS. The topics for worry are unending.

Along with all these concerns are the effects of anxiety — depression, extra stress, frustration and even physical problems later on. Is this why my hair is falling out?

There must be a spiritual answer to these concerns. As I contemplate my fate, am I doomed to be a worrywart like generations before me? Then breaking into my thoughts are the words, "Look at the lilies of the field; they do not toil and neither do they spin yet they are more spectacular than the robes Solomon wore."

And if God can clothe these weeds like that, how much more will he do for you who are much more valuable. The warning phrase comes on the heels of this promise, "Oh, you of little faith!"

Wait a minute. What does faith have to do with this? I search for the connection. Do I blindly have faith in whatever? Do I keep in practice by believing 10 impossible things before breakfast? No.

The answer is rather simple: Trust in the one who knows the beginning from the end. Give him all your cares because He cares for you.

Having faith means trusting him who has more power over these concerns than I do. Many of my worries I have no control over. But God can unravel all the perplexities of life.

This doesn't mean I'll know all that is going to happen. Far from it. If I knew everything, why would faith be needed?

I must give him my anxieties and let him deal with them. When I do that, it seems a weight has been lifted off me.

Does it all seem too simple a solution? Many things are simple, once we know the answer.

I have dabbled in magic tricks by joining a group of other magicians. I use the word "magic" to mean simply the art of illusion. I had always been amazed at the tricks magicians did, until I learned some of their secrets.

Knowing how the tricks are done takes away the mystery and I'll sometimes say, "Man, that is so simple."

Knowing the secret of faith takes away the excess struggles of life. Life has purpose and is guided by a caring God.

What more could I ask for?

Harvey Ching is pastor of Kane'ohe Congregational Church and an adjunct professor at International College and Graduate School. Expressions of Faith welcomes written works by pastors, priests, lay workers and other leaders in faith and spirituality. E-mail faith@honoluluadvertiser.com or call 525-8035. Articles submitted to The Advertiser may be published or distributed in print, electronic or other forms.