[a Christian view of one of the facets of mental ill-health]
Worry is a much maligned and misunderstood human habit of self-preservation. Our sensitive Limbic systems are a greatly responsible for our success and survival. However, as with every God given aptitude in a fallen world, there is the danger that something good becomes something very bad indeed.
Statistically life has never been safer, yet our world and churches are filled with chronic worriers, so what has gone wrong? Why has worry and anxiety reached such epidemic proportions. The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) suggests that the chronic worry or GAD has a 5% prevalence in the population It also says, “Recognition of anxiety disorders is particularly poor in primary care and only a small number of people experiencing anxiety disorders receive any treatment” (www.nice.org.uk). The figures for those who will suffer from a bout of anxiety or depression in their lifetime is approximately 25%.
Dr Rob Waller, Consultant Psychiatrist and my co-author of “The Worry Book” says, “Many people believe worry problems will resolve spontaneously. However, they are unlikely to go away on their own because they are self-maintaining. Worry issues benefit from a structured and insightful treatment approach”. Two years ago at a major youth festival in the UK the host invited all those who struggled with worry or anxiety on a moderate or severe level, to stand. A third of the thousands present responded. If this is the future of the church we have got some serious work to do!
Worry is Complex
Worry is a far more complex and sophisticated mechanism than most people assume it to be. Unfortunately it often takes one to know one. There are some people who just don’t struggle with worry at all and find it hard to empathise. When I contacted other church leaders for their ideas on this issue the Bishop of Willesden responded, “Probably not the right person to ask – I don’t do worry!” But far from being flippant, Pete was being honest. Some people just don’t do worry.
By the same token, some very God-fearing and faithful Christians do. Revd Geoff Maughan; one of the most sensitive and inspiring leaders I have had the pleasure to know, commented, “After 40 years of being a Christian, I am sorry to say that I am still an inveterate worrier, and it is the result of
- a habit of mind formed in childhood;
- a need to protect myself from failure or embarrassment; and
- the fears that are endemic to human beings in our natural state of not trusting God.”
Continue reading
I do not need to be a Christian to understand Will’s distinction between Solvable Worry and Floating Worry.
Personally I am not a worrier – even when there are things going on in my life that perhaps I should be worrying about!
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