Worry a Disease by D. H. Kress

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 13, 1911

Worry a Disease

By D. H. Kress

D. H. KRESS, M. D.

WORRY is a disease. The same poison that produces rheumatism is frequently responsible for feelings of depression and worry. Irritants circulating in the blood may be deposited in the joints. When this is done, gout results. If deposited in the muscle sheath, they produce rheumatism. If deposited in the brain, they may produce irritability, impatience, depression, and worry. The thing to do is to correct the habits of living, and thus get rid of these poisons. In many instances worry will then disappear.

In the endeavor to get rid of rheumatism we recognize that there are certain things we must do. The doctor may say, Give up the use of tea and coffee, and do not use meat. He may give some other sensible advice, which, if followed, will enable one to get rid of the disease. The patient goes about getting rid of rheumatism in an intelligent manner, and he must go about the worry disease in the same way. Known sin may, of course, be responsible for feelings of depression. If so, there is a legitimate way out of the trouble; but frequently this feeling is due to physical causes. In fact, most of our ills, whether physical or mental, may be traced to some physical cause.

It was the mixed multitude, who refused the food prepared by angel hands, who were constantly worrying and complaining. They wanted their accustomed food, and found fault because it was wisely withheld. When their request was granted, it brought sickness and leanness of soul. If they had cheerfully submitted to the use of the simple food, they would undoubtedly have been helped. God allows afflictions to come as warnings. When we are on dangerous paths, it is an act of mercy to have a red light held up to notify us of the danger. Depressed feelings are many times danger-signals and should be heeded. Careful inquiry will frequently point to some dietetic error as being responsible for them.

Worry and feelings of depression may be cultivated. Some people seem really to enjoy poor health. They talk about it all the time. In this way they dig about and cultivate this useless and harmful plant. This habit tends to undermine the health. We must talk courage, and faith, and good cheer, and “against hope believe in hope.” Efforts must be made to put down every feeling which exerts a depressing or harmful influence upon us. When depressed, begin to sing. After all, there are many things to be thankful for. The rose-bush is not all thorns. A good way to drive away the blues is to do an act of kindness to some one who is worse off than we ourselves.

“Is thy cruse of comfort failing? Rise, and share it with another; And through all the years of famine, It shall serve thee and thy brother.”

“Give, and it shall be given unto you,” is a divine law. As we give, so God imparts. Giving is living; denying is dying. To create sunshine for those about us and assist the needy is one of the best ways of getting rid of feelings of depression and worry. It was not until Job prayed for his friends that God turned his captivity, and gave him twice as much as he had before he was afflicted.

Takoma Park, D. C.