Why Worrying Doesn't Work, And What to Do Instead

February 15, 2024

Worry is essentially a control issue. It’s trying to control the uncontrollable. We can’t control the economy, so we worry about the economy. We can’t control our children, so we worry about our children. We can’t control the future, so we worry about the future. But worry never solves anything! It’s stewing without doing.

Matthew 6:25 says, “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” (NIV).

Jesus is saying that if it’s not going to last, don’t worry about it.

Matthew 6:27 says, “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (NIV).

When you worry about a problem, it doesn’t bring you one inch closer to a solution. It’s like sitting in a rocking chair — a lot of activity, energy, and motion, but no progress. Worry doesn’t change anything except you. It makes you miserable!

Matthew 6:30 says, “If God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t he more surely care for you, O men of little faith?” (TLB). If you trust in God, you don’t need to worry. Why? Because he has promised to take care of all your needs: “God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 NIV).

Does that include bills? Yes. Does that include relational conflicts? Yes. Does that include your dreams and goals and ambitions? Yes. Does that include the health issues you don’t how to handle? Yes.

So, what do you do when you face problems or you’re tempted to worry? You take it to God in prayer.

Pray about it. This isn’t just a passive “church answer.” This is Biblical. It’s how God designed the universe to work. When you take something to God in prayer, you’re taking it to the person who actually has the power to do something about it.

Worry does nothing. Prayer to God can do more than you or I ever could.

I love this verse from Philippians 4:6-7 that says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

If you want peace, choose to pray instead of worry.