We are hearing a relatively new kindly courtesy today that is refreshing in a world where language is too often abrupt and vulgar.
It is the simple phrase “No Worries.”
It usually follows a small blunder of some kind as a simplified version of “it’s all right, forget it.” Or simply, “No problem.”
In a few minutes of research I discovered that it isn’t as “new” as I thought. First recorded in 1966, it is not local. It comes from Australia, where it represents a feeling of friendliness, good will, optimism, and—curiously— “an expectation of shared attitudes.” In 1978 it was the national motto of Australia. From there, “no worries” migrated to New Zealand, then into British English, more recently into Canadian English. Linguistic experts are uncertain how it came into American English, but it is here.
What is its equivalent in Scripture?
Courtesy
Courtesy belongs to the very breath and heartbeat of Christian culture. We think first of Peter.
1 Peter 3:8 8Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;
It is another way of saying, “No Worries.” I’m not going to fuss about something that doesn’t happen to be to my liking. I can overlook it. No consequence!
The New English Bible speaks even more directly to how we should apply it:
1 Peter 3:8 (NEB) 8To sum up: be one in thought and feeling, all of you; be full of brotherly affection, kindly and humble-minded.
Peter has been talking to how husbands and wives should relate to each other in Christ, but here he goes to “ALL of YOU.”
What is his command?
Be ONE in thought and feeling. In other words, don’t let any of the “DIS” words divide you—no feelings of DIS-trust or DIS-sention or DIS-cord. “No worries” is a far better approach.
The next phrase looks even deeper into our hearts:
NKJV: “ALL of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another.”
NEB: Be one in thought and feeling, ALL OF YOU.”
No exceptions for any cross-grained personalities. No feeling “I would feel better toward (him or her) if they would only CHANGE, if they weren’t so sensitive, or petty, or peevish, or whatever.
No, it is up to each of US to make the change from OUR side. We aren’t here to remake OTHERS but to remake OURSELVES! Let go of the little worries that might make trouble!
I am reminded of a Maranatha Paper one of our sisters wrote years ago, where she said,
When WE change, we’ll be amazed how much the OTHER person has changed!
It is TRUE. We’ve seen so often.
Peter continues with:
NKJV: love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;
NEB: be full of brotherly affection, kindly and humble-minded.
“Love with brotherly affection.” Peter is using the less common word for love which is brotherly, filial love. Filial love emphasizes how brothers and sisters relate to each other as brothers and sisters in the family of Christ. There is a bond unknown to those outside. A sharing of our joys and sorrows, our struggles and victories, with a sincere desire to help one another. Paul said it also:
Romans 12:10 10Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
Someone makes a minor slip? The other kindly says, “No worries!”
Beyond this statement is the command to be tenderhearted, and courteous. The word courteous is the thought of humble minded. We have to let that old “ego” go—it does nothing but cause trouble. James says it right to the point:
James 4:5–6 5Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? 6But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
Humble minded is courtesy, but much more than a simple “Good morning” or “Have a good rest of your day” as they say now. This is a heart expressing brotherliness to our family in Christ.
Exchange WORRY for TRUST
Here is another angle on “No worries.”
It is part of “Learning to TRUST our Sovereign God”. As someone has said, if he could order the world before we came into it, don’t we think He can take care of it the little while we are here?
“No Worries” is not a casual dismissing of all concerns, but rather taking a step in the dark by FAITH because we trust God as our Life-giver, our protector, our strength, and the source of everything we have and are, now and FUTURE.
Ruth’s faith and actions were so evident that Boaz could say to Ruth:
Ruth 2:12 12The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come [to trust].”
It is the message of the Psalmist:
Psalm 62:8 8Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah.
Selah. Time to pause. Relax. Breathe! Don’t fret, it won’t do any good.
Here is God’s most precious promise to His children: a time to come when there will be no fear, no stress, no worries. Instead, God will have everlasting pleasure for His children.
Psalm 36:7–9 7How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. 8They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. 9For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.
No worries when God is our shield and protector – when we take His Word to change and remake us from the inside out:
Proverbs 30:5 5Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
This is where God becomes OUR SALVATION. This is what Isaiah said about Himself and HIS great God:
Isaiah 12:2–3 2Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: For the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation. 3Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
Looking ahead, in spite of a difficult present, it would be all JOY! No worries because He was 100% committed to God. His law and love was FIRST in Isaiah’s mind. No worries came between.
Where will “No worries” climax? Let me suggest one place you will really want to hear it.
Picture yourself standing before Christ. You are tense, still wondering if you have passed the test, when He says to you,
“No worries, you have done your work well, you have been faithful in a few things, I will make you ruler over MANY things. Enter into MY joy!”
“Enter into MY Joy.” From that point forward, it will be “No Worries.” NONE. Forever. With immortality streaming through our veins, what will it be like to look ahead to immortal vigor and life, with no fear of pain, or disease, or sorrow, or any kind of distress or unhappiness.
That will be the supreme point of “No Worries.”