Don’t worry be happy came on over the radio as I was driving this morning and it’s one where you simply MUST stop and listen. Not just because is it as catchy as a driftnet, and not because Bobby McFerrin is one of the most gifted vocalists alive, but also because of the lyrics. His archetypal problems are real problems that real people face – being vulnerable (somebody took your bed), under pressure (landlord about to litigate), poor (no money), unfashionable (no style), and of course, lonely (no girl to make you smile).  At first glance his solution appears shallow, but when you think about it, it’s actually quite profound and resonates with NT teaching to a significant extent. Here’s some thoughts:

1.
Cause when you worry
Your face will frown
And that will bring everybody down
So don’t worry, be happy

The NT encourages us to carry our own load (Gal 6:5), and there is something really true about Bobby’s encouragement to control our demeanour such that others don’t have to carry our load unnecessarily.

2.
In your life expect some trouble
But when you worry
You make it double
Don’t worry, be happy……

Because he names trouble as trouble, what he is putting forth can’t be outright denial, but a particular response to those troubles. This is a refusal to worry, or be anxious about what cannot be changed. This is very important. Jesus says something remarkably similar here, as does Paul here.

3.
Don’t worry, it will soon pass
Whatever it is
Don’t worry, be happy

I actually think Bobby’s wrong here. Not everything passes (e.g. terminal or chronic illness). But that’s being unfair as we can’t expect him to set out an entire system in a four minute song! It also misses the point of what he’s saying: lots of things do actually pass. If you miss your rent and the landlord litigates and you get kicked out, don’t you just get another place and try to pay rent regularly there? If your bed gets stolen, don’t you just buy another one? Worrying won’t help the situation. Perhaps even all the bad things we can concieve of to falsify his theory may actually pass soon too – although this is probably stretching it a bit.