Is There Room for Faith in a World of Worry?

Can you have faith and still worry? I’ve heard it said that faith and worry can’t coexist and I truly hope that isn’t the case because, if it is, I’m toast.

I try not to worry. I really do! I pray about the things that worry me and give them over to God but I still find myself thinking about them way too much.

Does that mean I don’t have faith?

I know everyone worries from time to time. It’s part of human nature. After all, it was fear and worry that almost caused St. Peter to drown in the sea instead of making his way to Jesus on the surface of the water. I also know that there are people who worry less than me and people who worry more than me. I’m not going to win any awards for Olympic-level worrying but I seem to be trying my best to at least make the team.

The reality is, I do have faith. Perhaps it’s weaker than it should be in certain aspects of my life but it is there. The worrying seems to be more of a reaction than a rational thought process. Once I recognize that I’m worrying, I can often, with great effort, remind myself of God’s fidelity, forgiveness, and mercy, and the worry does dissipate. Maybe not forever, but at least for a while.

Do you think worry and faith can exist together? If so, how do you reconcile them in your life?