Why do we worry?

Canada
October 24, 2015 9:43am CST
Why do we allow that scary little thought in when we are much smarter than being afraid of maybes? I was reading the paper when I looked outside and saw what you see in this photo. its a gray and depressing day, not a sign of sun, and actually raining off and on and cold too. Not a nice day. My husband left early Thursday morning to go to the west coast because of his job. He travels often all over Canada and I don't worry about him. He's not alone, he travels with a team. He does his job and he comes home. It's that simple and all was good until I looked out the windows in the back of my house. Then the worry starts, worried about the weather and crossing the country in the air. What's going on in the sky between here and west coast? Is it stormy, is he safe, is he comfortable, and on and on. I am expecting him late this afternoon and I'm sure he will be delivered home safe and sound. So why won't my brain let me move on and get some other things done instead of just looking out the window hoping the weather will improve. I think I need help I think I'll go paint and listen to a book while I do it. Its hard to listen and worry at the same time. Why do I worry about things I have no control over? I have no idea, I need to relax. Do you worry?
27 people like this
31 responses
@sofssu (23662)
24 Oct 15
I hardly ever worry.. It trust in God and let him be my protector. I used to worry a lot until I developed this relationship with God. It may not make sense to you if you don't believe.
4 people like this
@sofssu (23662)
24 Oct 15
@PainsOnSlate Sometimes we need these reminders don't we? He says so many times over, do not be anxious, do not worry and yet we do.. Cast your burdens unto Jesus for he cares for you.
2 people like this
@maggs224 (2320)
• Alicante, Spain
25 Oct 15
@PainsOnSlate I like that idea Marilyn, God's waste basket
1 person likes this
• Canada
24 Oct 15
It makes a lot of sense. Thank You for the reminder. One Sunday in Kansas we adults met in an adult Sunday School class and all of us were exhausted because it was winter and our children had gone on a ski trip with the church. They didn't come home on time, we had all worried all night and found out they got stuck in a storm but were ok and made it home.(this was before cell phones) One member reminded us to remember God's waste basket. He asked how many had prayed all night. He reminded us God takes care of everyone and asking for safety for our children from God only needs to be asked once. Then take that prayer and toss it into God's wastebasket knowing he heard it. I had forgotten about God's wastebasket and I just said a prayer for the safety of those travelers today and now I can leave it alone.
4 people like this
@marlina (154165)
• Canada
24 Oct 15
Yes, I worry way too much.
3 people like this
• Canada
24 Oct 15
Me too, I wish there was a way to stop it...
@Missmwngi (12926)
• Nairobi, Kenya
3 Nov 15
I think everybody does worry. They may not say or show but they do
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
25 Oct 15
I do worry and I tell myself the sames things that you do but it is hard to keep those scary thoughts at bay. I am sure by now hubby is safe and sound back home.
2 people like this
• Canada
25 Oct 15
@BelleStarr He is home and safe. i did calm down with all the advice I had yesterday.
• Canada
25 Oct 15
@Coooajit when your worried its hard to be happy but I see what you are saying.
• Bhopal, India
25 Oct 15
It's mind set....if you feel like worry. So be happy enjoy the moment because past moment are not going to come back
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64361)
• United Kingdom
24 Oct 15
No I'm not usually a worrier, but sometimes an occasion will warrant it. Your husband will soon be walking through that door
3 people like this
• Canada
24 Oct 15
Your right he will be walking in the door. I'm over my worry time
1 person likes this
@fawkes62 (1276)
• United States
28 Oct 15
I worry way too much, so much so that they say I have anxiety. If I knew how to control the worry, I'd tell you, but I don't. Distraction helps me for a while, but sometimes the worry is too much, other times it goes away until I'm not distracted again.
2 people like this
@fawkes62 (1276)
• United States
29 Oct 15
@PainsOnSlate I've never heard that before, though I'm not a religious person. I have my reasons and until I can get past those, I doubt I will ever be at a point where I can have that belief.
1 person likes this
• Canada
28 Oct 15
was reminded to God's Waste Basket you can read about it in my response to sofs below. it does work for me and it worked the day I started this discussion.
1 person likes this
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
24 Oct 15
Worry only about what you can change - and that certainly doesn't include the weather.
2 people like this
• Canada
24 Oct 15
It was the weather that started this so you are so right. I'll remember what you said.
1 person likes this
@Samanthavv (1380)
• United States
25 Oct 15
Worrying is about as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum, yet we all do it. We can't help it. Especially women. It is in our nature to worry, especially when it comes to our babies.
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Oct 15
@PainsOnSlate I hated algebra. It was the one class I took alone so it wouldn't hurt me being able to make deans list!
1 person likes this
• Canada
25 Oct 15
Algebra on the college level made me cry. I know what you mean. It's part of life so we get used to it.
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
24 Oct 15
I have pretty severe anxiety problems, so yes, I worry, all the time.. about the silliest things too. Half the time it's just things made up in my head..
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Oct 15
@PainsOnSlate That's good. I tend to have to talk myself out of some of my worries and remind myself that everything is fine.
1 person likes this
• Canada
25 Oct 15
I know a lot of my worries are things just bouncing around in my head. There were so many good ideas here on this post yesterday it didn't take long to lose the worry.
• United States
24 Oct 15
I think we all do for the most part. It's a natural human reaction.
1 person likes this
• United States
24 Oct 15
@PainsOnSlate I can be the exact same way at times. Sometimes my mind will conjure up things and make it that much worse.
1 person likes this
@wiLLmaH (8801)
• Singapore, Singapore
24 Oct 15
Well, it is a human nature. But if you will surrender all to out Almighty all those worries will br gone. :)
1 person likes this
@wiLLmaH (8801)
• Singapore, Singapore
26 Oct 15
@PainsOnSlate I do that! I cries to HIM if I really can't take the burden in me.
1 person likes this
• Canada
24 Oct 15
I did that today and it works.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (48588)
• Canada
24 Oct 15
I am not so likely to worry about things that are out of my control as I am to ponder those things. I hope that your hubby makes it home safe and sound really soon.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (48588)
• Canada
24 Oct 15
@PainsOnSlate WooHoo, enjoy your time together now!
1 person likes this
• Canada
24 Oct 15
He's home and I'm happy. Thanks!
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Oct 15
To worry is human nature. I would 'worry' about someone who didn't worry.
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Oct 15
@PainsOnSlate You are very welcome. And, by the way, telling someone not to worry is like telling someone to stop breathing...it won't work.
1 person likes this
• Canada
25 Oct 15
Thanks for that smile. I hear you and I do worry at times.Thanks for the permission.
@maggs224 (2320)
• Alicante, Spain
25 Oct 15
Came to this late, and I am glad to see that he got home safe and sound :D
1 person likes this
@maggs224 (2320)
• Alicante, Spain
25 Oct 15
@PainsOnSlate Distraction works well for me too :D
1 person likes this
• Canada
25 Oct 15
Thanks Maggs, me too. All was well, writing about it made the worry go away.
1 person likes this
@Missmwngi (12926)
• Nairobi, Kenya
3 Nov 15
I believe it is so normal to worry about things we don't have control over simply because we know if something happens to people we love there is nothing we can do for them
1 person likes this
• Canada
4 Nov 15
I agree but I know if I can stop worrying I feel better.
1 person likes this
@Missmwngi (12926)
• Nairobi, Kenya
4 Nov 15
@PainsOnSlate Very true and one feels peaceful as well
1 person likes this
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
24 Oct 15
I think when we have nothing to do and nothing to divert our attention and our mind is empty, negative thoughts over take our mind and once negative thoughts start entering our mind, we feel worried. More than 75% of our worries are baseless and they never come out true. If you feel worried, it is better to divert your mind to some activity or if you know how to meditate, you could try that also. We all worry but the point is how effectively we could brush off our worries.
1 person likes this
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
26 Oct 15
@PainsOnSlate - I am glad to hear that my suggestions could help you over come your worries and now you are feeling better.
1 person likes this
• Canada
24 Oct 15
I like the way you write, It just crept into my soul this morning and I'm over it now. He's home.
1 person likes this
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
26 Oct 15
I used to worry a lot about so many things until I learned to put my trust in God. Why worry when I could pray? God holds this universe so I'd rather seek his help rather than engage in worrying.
1 person likes this
• Canada
26 Oct 15
in the comment below I mentioned God's Waste Basket, just remembering that helped me forget the worry the other day.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
27 Oct 15
We are humans so it's inevitable that we worry . we may say that we have God watching us all the time , but sometimes we worry because after all we are humans capable of getting worried .
1 person likes this
• Canada
27 Oct 15
I agree its the crazies out there that make us worry.
• Canada
25 Oct 15
Worry may be normal, but too much worry can make you ill, which is why trying to stay calm and not to let your mind get away with you is a good thing. I'm glad he's home safely.
1 person likes this
• Canada
4 Nov 15
I know what you are talking about and I did stop long before he got home. Its almost mind over matter..
@mom210 (9041)
• United States
27 Oct 15
I am a worrier, it will keep me awake at night, bothered during the day. I am working on shaking it off.
1 person likes this
• Canada
27 Oct 15
I think a lot of are. i work at not worrying but every once in a while it smacks me. Don't like it either...
@bluesa (15023)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
26 Oct 15
I do worry, and yes, I wonder why it is not easy to block that worry out. I think worrying is part and parcel of life. I hope all is fine and well by you and the weather better.
1 person likes this
• Canada
26 Oct 15
All is well, he's home and life goes on.