Worry is Useless

I. Reflection: What did Padre Pio say right after the often quoted line, “Pray, hope, and do not worry”?

He said “worry is useless”!

Many of you know that I am a psychotherapist in addition to a Catholic artist. Worry is present in almost every case I treat. People may even think it’s worry that drives them to pursue therapy in the first place, when most often, it’s hope!

When it comes to wellness, Catholics are so lucky. We are beyond fortunate to have the comforting words of the saints- as well as Scripture- that we know we can rely on and trust. When Padre Pio says, “Worry is useless,” he isn’t suggesting that our lives are devoid of suffering, but that prayer, unlike worry, is a hopeful, active response to pain or sadness. Recall Philippians 4:6-7:

Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Letting go of worry is no easy feat! But my advice is as follows: when you’re feeling consumed with a recurrent worry, ask yourself: “is worry helpful to me right now? Is it driving action? Is there something else I can do to bring me peace instead?”

II. Solutions: Letting go of worry is easier said than done, but here are a few changes one can make in the home that make worry much easier to deal with:

• Predictable prayer routine

• Established (and circumstantial) time limits on stressful discussions/venting

• Purposeful designation of spaces around the house

• Sacred music on during specific times of day

Interested in joining a community of Catholic declutterers, downsizers, and life-simplifiers? Join the discussion on Facebook:

Catholic Minimalism: Purposeful and Intentional Choices for the Home

https://facebook.com/groups/catholicminimalismcommunity