“Don’t Worry. Be Happy”
By Gary L. Fiscus, 2023
You probably remember this song title from 1988, 35 years ago. It was sung a Capella. It became a number one hit and the only a Capella song to ever do that. The actual phrase came from an Indian guru as quoted in an interview of USA Weekend magazine.
In a recent Bible study of Nehemiah, I noticed that in Neh. 2:1f-3 the king’s cupbearer, Nehemiah himself, said, “…Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence. And the king said unto me, why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? This is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid. And I said unto the king, let the king live forever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ sepulchers, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?” Artaxerxes noticed that his trusted cupbearer, Nehemiah was depressed.
If I understand Persian culture, I know that servants were to maintain a pleasing expression in the king’s presence. If that is true, then Nehemiah was actually breaking the law by looking sad!
Try putting yourself in this scenario. In any workplace it is a blessing to be surrounded by people who care about you. There is little worse than working or living in an environment where nobody is attuned to anyone else’s feelings. Such is a violation of Paul’s words in Gal. 6:2, “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” This was the case with the king of Persia, Artaxerxes, and Nehemiah. The ruler might well have implied something akin to, “Don’t worry. Be Happy!”
The ruler of Babylon cared enough for his servant that he inquired as to what was making him feel so morose. Remember at Neh. 2:2, the emperor asked, “Why is thy countenance sad…” We might say, “What’s the matter? You look like you’ve lost your best friend.” The show of the king’s concern is obvious. Does your employer, your spouse, your best friend ever help you deal with your sadness of the day, week, or month? In like manner do you ever offer to cheer up anyone?
Artaxerxes was so caring about Nehemiah that he asked him to explain his troubles. Sometimes we need another just to listen to us. Other instances, we need to listen to another’s woes, miseries, or despairs. We want to get the idea across to them, “Don’t worry. Be happy.”
E.G., a mother watches her son graduate from high school. While she should be overjoyed, she is instead remorseful and perhaps even a bit bitter that he is going to be out and gone from her love and protection. A father gives his daughter in marriage to a man that the father just hopes will take as good care of her as he has for 20 years. A woman in helping her husband earn money by taking a job and trying to be a good helpmeet to him. She loses her job and is in despair and develops depression. A spouse loses their mate in death. The list goes on and on. Do we care enough to leave an impression of how we sympathize or even empathize with others? Ultimately, we should convey, “Don’t worry. Be happy.” Certainly, other’s problems are not trivial matters. It is a time, however, to “weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice,” (Rom. 12:15).
Back to Nehemiah’s case we note that he might have been born in Persia, but his heart was back home in Jerusalem. He was upset and grieved because a report came from home that the walls around his beloved city had not been rebuilt. Since the time of king Cyrus, almost 100 years before, nothing had been done. Cyrus was the king who first granted the Hebrews return to Jerusalem. Read Neh. 1:1-4.
We have hopes and aspirations for our hometowns. We learn that many do not want improvement, modernization or help of any kind. Still others want to make progress and leave a proper legacy for their children. When procrastination sets in and eventually takes over, circumstances do not improve. It is sad. Do not let the sorrow, however, get you down. “Don’t worry. Be happy!”
Artaxerxes cared so much about his servant’s anguish that the king wrote letters to ensure Nehemiah’s safe travels back to Jerusalem. Nehemiah had prayed to the Lord. The king granted him his desires. What employer would be so sympathetic toward us if we were experiencing deep-seated emotional trauma? What spouse would be so loving that he/she would comfort us in whatever feelings we were undergoing? What parent-child relationship would culminate in the expressions of love and concern for parent or child? We need to practice the Indian guru’s cliché: “Don’t worry. Be happy.” No, the phrase is not in the Bible, but it is implied in so many situations that can be determined by our behaviors and actions.
Paul said it better than anyone: “In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” (Phil. 4:6-9) Don’t Worry. Be Happy!