Worry. We all do it. We all hate it. And, it seems impossible to stop. But you don’t have to worry. God commands us not to worry or be anxious. For example, Jesus said, “Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on” (Matthew 6:25). This is a command of Scripture and must be obeyed. So, what has God given us to make it possible to stop worrying? How can we stop being anxious and rest in God instead?
Knowing what God is Like Stops Worry
In order to stop worrying, we have to know God. We have to embrace his sovereignty, goodness, and love. God created and controls everything. He is in charge of both atoms and stars. God directs the farmer in the field and the general on the battlefront. God can do anything he wants to do, and nothing can stop him (Daniel 4:35). That kind of power would be scary if God were not holy as well. His goodness prevents him from doing or allowing anything that could harm his children. God loves us (1 John 4:8) so he will only expose us to those things that will turn out to be good for us (Hebrews 12:11). God’s power, goodness, and love should assure us that nothing can happen in our lives that is outside his control.
A Child of God Never Needs to Worry
Children of a strong, and loving father would have no cause for worry. The fact is that anyone who belongs to God has that kind of Father. According John 1:12, a person who believes in the name of Jesus becomes a child of God. And, our perfect, loving, and powerful Father has made himself responsible for our care. He met our greatest need when he sent Jesus to die for our sins. And if God gave his Son to die for us, it seems reasonable to assume that he will supply whatever else we need (Romans 8:32). Since God is our Father, we can be as calm as a weaned child with its mother (Psalm 131:2).
God Gives His Children Anti-Worry Remedies
But we do worry, fret, and become anxious about all sorts of things. God knows all about our weakness, though. He has provided some spiritual remedies to mend our hearts and remove worry by its roots.
The Remedy of Prayer
Philippians 4:7 says we can have peace that we can’t even begin to understand. Because we are God’s children in Christ, we can ask him for anything. He can supply us with a friend or a job, food or finances, healing or endurance. God will answer our prayers according to what he considers to be best for us.
Good fathers know what will meet the most important needs of their children.
And they are not afraid to say “no” to what would ultimately hurt them. Godly fathers take great joy in giving good gifts to their kids. God knows us intimately and tailors his training for each one of us. He uses infinite wisdom in what to give or withhold. And every one of his decisions is based in his lavish love for us.
That’s why we don’t need to worry, even if God doesn’t answer right away or in the way we had in mind. That’s why we can obey Philippians 4:6. We can lift our needs to God in prayer and thank him for his wise and loving answers. If we understand what God is like and that he is our perfect father, anxiety will replace worry in time. Even if the situation remains the same, God will use delays or denials to build our faith.
The Remedy of Scripture
We must ask for God’s intervention in a worrisome situation to begin on our journey toward peace. Our request places our burden into his all-powerful hands. But we must also engage in a battle against Worry and its twin brother, Distrust. In Ephesians 6:12-18, Paul describes the Holy Spirit-empowered armor every child of God possesses. We have enough protective gear to cover our mind and heart. And we have a sword, which is the Word of God.
By using the truths and promises of the Bible, we can fight and win the battle against worry.
We worry because we believe we must take care of the problem. We assume that God either doesn’t care about our need, or he can’t come to our rescue. Both of those opinions are sinful lies. But, “if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from al unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). God will forgive us. And, did you notice that he will also purge our hearts and minds of the sins of worry and distrust.
The Remedy of Divine Power
The process of driving worry out of our hearts involves spiritual battles. But God has provided us with divine power with which to fight the lies we believe. With him, we can destroy the castle walls we run into when we try to solve our problems. God’s wisdom tears down our lofty opinion of our ability to solve the problems we face. God gives us all we need to reject the lies we believe. And, he enables us to trust him to provide for and protect us. He helps us retrain our mind so we stop trusting in our own puny resources and start trusting his power, holiness, and love. Check out 2 Corinthians 10:3-5if don’t believe me.
We Don’t Have to Worry!
We worry because we can’t solve problems. We don’t worry about knowing how to tie our shoes, but we do worry about having enough money to pay for a new pair. We don’t worry about the walls of our house crumbling in a summer rainstorm. But we do worry having enough money to pay the mortgage.
This is why God’s Word says, we should humble ourselves enough to ask for help instead of worrying. He would love for us to place all our fears and worries into his hands because he cares for us (1 Peter 5:6-7). God hears and answers our prayers for help in overcoming worry because it is basically sinful. Plus, the penalty for the sin of worry has been paid in full by Jesus’ death. In addition to telling us about God’s lavish love, the Bible also records the amazing promises he has made to us, his children. Because we are God’s children, we have his power, goodness, and love with which to fight and win the battle against worry, anxiety, and fear. God has done everything necessary to make it so we don’t have to worry.
Are you worried? As a Christ follower, you have everything you need to quit!
Nancy Leigh DeMoss has written a very helpful book on this topic: Lies Women Believe: And the Truth that Sets them Free
