As has been made clear by Protestants and Catholics who have crystal clear memories of the way the the Church was before they were born, Catholics have a worrying problem. They worry about about how sinful they are. They worry about going to heaven. They worry about going to hell. They worry that they aren't worrying enough about going to confession, Mass and bingo.
Making a living as an apologist is easy.
Yes, we Catholics have a thing or twenty to show others about worry. And we're proud of it. With Western civilization slouching towards Gomorrah (r), we Catholics are actually rejoicing. What better excuse to worry more than when Europe is sliding into antiseptic barabarism and America has more debt than the entire world has money?
While you wail and gnash your teeth in the darkness, you would do well to ignore troublemakers like Gary Zimak from the misleadingly named "Following the Truth" blog. This Catholic apologist thinks that worry is not a Catholic thing and has written a new book - The Worrier's Guide to the Bible - that tries, through amazing contortions of scripture, to convince the poor reader that confidence in God is really the Christian way.
If you like to worry, don't read this book!
In order to spread this pernicious message, Mr. Zimak is giving away two signed copies of his book. I strongly recommend that you DO NOT leave a comment below about why you trust in God because if you do you may receive one of these books in the mail. On the other hand, if you don't think you have enough to worry about, you could leave a comment and then worry that you won't win a book (even one you shouldn't read) when we announce the winner next Tuesday (12/11/12).
(For the humor impaired, we do highly recommend Gary's book and hope you weren't worrying too much about whether or not we were recommending it.)
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I worry I may win this book and will read it.
I’m confused. Should I worry or not worry ? I’m going to worry about this now…
I’m starting a new job. I worry that my work won’t be acceptable.
I trust in God because He knows what is best for me and is my ever-present Comforter.
I’m not worried. Or at least I wasn’t… until now.
I trust in God because He has provided for me EVEN in the small ways–a new discovery for my dissertation, a little extra cash here and there when I need it, an encouraging word from my mentor. That’s only in the small things. Once I start with the big things, like Redemption, Saving Grace, my lovely wife, my loving family, my wonderful job, my good health, my talents…
But I often come back to the small things because it is His attention to detail AND to scope that makes Him the Greatest Artist of all Eternity.
I’m worried that I don’t understand the assignment. Will this be on the final exam?
I might worry that it might help me, my family & my patients!
I was worried because Mark She was worried that folks wouldn’t read this but I’m fine now because I did…*except* how do I know *other* people won’t read it? Something to think — perchance worry — about.
a priest once told us itis a sin to worry
I worry about being a good day. I have my first one on the way in April.
That should said dad not day. Love typos.
I worry about not having enough to worry about. Does God not think I can handle more worrying? I worry that if I win this book I will have to pay for shipping and handling to Canada.
I trust in God because, even though I have walked through three extended periods of unemployment, the loss of two children, and months of unpaid bills, I have never been abandoned. I have always been sustained by the mercy of God, and each of these painful things has brought a greater purity in my own life, and a greater trust of God’s eternal purposes.
God doesn’t have to work on my time-table, he is Faithful to the end.
God promises to take all our cares if we just let him. As the song says, “Cast your cares upon Jesus.” I worry that I don’t do that as well as I should!
I try to trust in God in all things. I worry that he trusts me too much.
I’m worried that 50 verses is 306 verses short of my needs. Because I seem to worry every day. What will I do for the other days of the year? Should I just repeatedly read the book until my worries cease? And what if it doesn’t work and I keep worrying, despite the book? What if I wear the book out? Will I have to buy another copy? And what about my husband? Maybe I should buy a copy for him, too. But wait, my best friend probably needs one, too! I wonder how many copies should I buy? Hmmmm.
I trust God because He loves me and wants the best for me….of course sometimes I have a lapse of memory and think I need to worry about things, but eventually I come to my senses…
Winning this book will literally ruin my life. If I can’t worry about stuff, then what else is left for me to do in this world?
I worry that my FB friend Teresa B. might win this book instead of me
(not really). But I won’t worry about S&H to Canada!
I have a marked predisposition to worry. It is something I work on, and perhaps worry about, all the time. God has had such wonderful way of providing for my family over the years, I should have nothing to worry about.
I have a master’s degree in anxiety. I would love to read this book so I could learn to BELIEVE the verse, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God…”
I really need this book because I worry too much, but I’m worried that if I win it I won’t read it and that would really worry me.
I worry about my kids…what mother doesn’t?
I’m worried about graduating college and finding a job. Maybe the book will help! (or make it worse? Should I be worried?)
My Grandma says if we don’t were worry, then we’re zombies. Personally, I do not know why reading scripture is supposed to be support when I want to trust in God. My worry is, that, when I do trust in him, something bad will happen, leave me helpless and into despair, and then I will only fold-in and trust in myself rather than God. That, I will reject God and only accept myself. I’m afraid I will not truly believe, trust, hope in him, and will not have my faith firmly planted in him. I’m afraid I will have no trust in his real presence in the Eucharist and find myself left with counterfeit beliefs, my own self, and any other quackery quasi-religious fashions of the time. Meaning, I will end up so deceived and fallen from grace. I wish God would simply provide a miracle and save me at all times. I apologize about my rant. But, I cannot help but worrying since God does not tangibly and really take it away as he turned water into wine.
I’m worried I won’t have a spot on my bookshelf for it.
I worry, oh I worry. I’m worried that I don’t trust in God enough.
I’m not worried a bit about winning a free book.
I worry that if I win this book, my ever-worrying husband (for real, he worries – a lot!) might read it and stop worrying so much! What would that look like? I worry that I might not find out!
I worry about what will happen if I don’t comment right away on this worriesome post.
Wow.
I’m worried about you. Really.
With good cause, I’m sure.
I trust in God because no one else, including myself, is completely trustworthy.
I want this book for my daughter! PLEASE!
There’s no way I’m reading this book. Worrying is the best calorie-burner I know.
I’m worried that I spend too much time on websites that tempt me to covet after new books, when I already accumulate books at a rate that’s faster than any human being could be expected to read them…
I trust in God because he continues to love and forgive me, despite my providing plenty of reasons for Him not to on a consistent basis.
How interesting. Trust and anxiety were the subject of my prayer journal this morning. Is God trying to tell me something now? Oh dear…
I liie this blog entry and I wish I could have that book.
What, me worry?
Me me me me!!! Pick me!
Actually, seriously, I have a college-age child with anxiety. This would be lovely.
I sometimes worry that I am not smart enough to be worried about some things?
I’m not worried at all. Should I be worried about my lack of worry?
I’m a complete worry wort, but I’m game for reading the book even if it might give me cause to worry more. Who knows, there may be something out there that I’m not worrying about that I should be.
I’m an absolute worry-wart, but the prayer “Jesus, I trust in You” has helped alleviate the stress. Thanks for the post!
I trust God because He is supremely good, all the time. He loves and forgives me. He is always providing for me according to His perfect wisdom and love. I trust Him because he commands me not to worry. I trust Him because He assures me that fear is useless, and that I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. He doesn’t need me to try to be God in His place, but what pleases Him and is needful to me is that I trust Him.
Hmm…this looks great. I know a number of people, myself included, who would benefit from a study on trust. : )
Oh, dear . . .
Okay I have 10 inch letters stenciled on my wall across from bed so every morning I wake up I can read: “Be Still & Know That I Am God.”
Ps. 46:10.
I’m not worried. Maybe I should be worried about that
What? Me worry?
I trust in God because He can never be outdone in generosity.
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