Article June 18, 1979 Issue

Don't worry—rejoice!

JUDITH ANN HARDY

In an elementary school survey, children ranked "worrying" among the top five things parents should do for them. Don't children learn this from hearing parents say half-teasingly, "Worrying gives us gray hair," and "Worrying is what mothers are for"? In television commercials, isn't the model of motherhood sometimes pictured with furrowed brow, worrying about her family's well-being and which detergent, cereal, vitamin, or cold remedy to buy?

It's only mistaken belief—not law—that says parenthood and worry must go hand in hand. We needn't succumb to this lie for a second. Worry is simply fear that not enough good is present, or that if it is, it is not potent enough against evil. Numerous times in the Bible, all of us, parents included, are admonished not to worry. "Be not afraid" and "Fear not," it instructs us. Especially strengthening are the examples of Christ Jesus' comforting command not to be afraid.

Luke tells of frightened parents whose only daughter was dying. Jairus, the father, asked Jesus to heal her. Imagine how worried Jairus must have been, especially when word came that it was too late, that she was already dead. Yet "Fear not," was Jesus' immediate reply to Jairus. "Believe only, and she shall be made whole." Luke 8:50; Again, when Jesus arrived at the house where the deceased girl lay, he comforted her parents and mourners, saying they needn't cry, that she wasn't dead but asleep. Jesus didn't worry that her life could be taken away. If he had, he couldn't have raised her from the dead. While the others were mourning the material condition called death, Jesus was serenely conscious of man's immortal life, untouched by matter and reflecting divine Life's indestructible and uninterrupted infinitude. Knowing divine Life, God, as the sole creator and lawgiver, he raised the girl to life, astonishing her parents.

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