Worry – Finding That Eight Percent!
One of the books I read this summer was THE NOTICER by Andy Andrews. Partly
fictional, it is one of those fun, heart-warming books to be enjoyed as a
diversion from the more technical in-depth reading that is essential.
The main character of the book, Jones, discusses the futility of worry,
suggesting some interesting percentages that may not be scientific, but should
provoke some thought.
· 40% of the things we worry about will never occur.
· 30% of the time, we worry about things that have already happened.
· 12% of our worry is about needless imaginings about our health.
· 10% would be petty-little-nothing worries about what people think.
· 8%, “legitimate concerns.”
The legitimate concerns, according to the Jones character, “are things that can
actually be dealt with.” Then he said, “Most people spend so much time fearing
things that are never going to happen or can’t be controlled that they have no
energy to deal with the few things they can actually handle.”
If this analysis is true or nearly true, in either case there is help. The more
you bring your mind into subjection to Christ (2 Cor. 10:5), the greater your
sincerity in prayer (Jas. 1:5; 5:16), and the stronger your determination to
grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord (2 Pet. 3:18), the closer you will
be to finding that 8% of things you can do something about.
By Warren E. Berkley
The Final Page
From Expository Files 16.10; October 2009
