As anyone who has been familiar with the Christian faith can tell you, the Bible doesn’t mince words – it makes it clear that worrying isn’t something we’re meant to do. With hundreds of mentions of ‘worry’ in the Bible, it depending on your interpretation, God is commanding us not to worry. But how many times does the Bible tell us to ‘not worry’? Let’s explore the prevalence of this concept in Scripture.
The Bible speaks of worry in a variety of different contexts. From the familiar admonition to ‘not worry about tomorrow’ (Matthew 6:34), to Paul’s exhortation to Timothy that ‘Godliness with contentment is great gain’ (1 Timothy 6:6-8), to the sweet assurance in Psalm 55:22 that God is going to ‘carry all our burdens’ – the modern Christian is presented with a plethora of commands not to worry.
The most explicit references come from the book of Matthew, with three occurrences of the phrase ‘do not worry’. It’s also mentioned by name in the book of Luke (12:22: ‘Do not worry about your life, what you will eat’), the book of John (14:1: ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled’), and the book of Philippians (4:6: ‘Do not be anxious about anything’).
It’s important to note, however, that worrying isn’t a sin in and of itself – rather, it’s how we respond to it that matters. As the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome, ‘ We should not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 4:6-7). What this verse is essentially saying is that, while we should not worry, we should take our worries to God in prayer and remain thankful.
This idea is echoed in the book of Proverbs, where it is written ‘Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths’ (Proverbs 3:5-6). Essentially, the Bible is telling us to replace our worry with trust in God, who knows our needs and will meet them accordingly.
According to a study from 2018, 84% of Americans worry at least once a week, and a quarter worry more than two times per week. While this may seem daunting, we can take comfort in the fact that we serve a God who is patient, loving, and full of mercy. He is concerned with our hearts and our feelings, and He is ready to help us when we come to Him with our worries.
The Benefits of Not Worrying
While it’s difficult to avoid worrying in today’s world, there are many benefits to not letting our worries overwhelm us. First and foremost, worrying can cause physical and mental health complications, including stress, anxiety, depression, and even panic attacks. Allowing oneself to become overwhelmed by worry can also cause us to become distant from friends, family, and our faith.
Conversely, not worrying helps us to remain mindful and stay focused on the present moment. It also helps us to practice gratitude and to appreciate the beauty of life and all that we’ve been given. Not worrying gives us the opportunity to find peace and joy in our lives, which can help us to be more productive and happier overall.
Lastly, not worrying can help us to gain a better understanding of God’s will in our lives. Worrying can often take us away from His grace and His presence, but when we choose to trust Him and rely on Him, we can experience true peace and freedom.
Coping with Worry
While not worrying is the ideal goal, it’s not always easy to accomplish. Fortunately, there are several steps we can take to help us cope with our worries and find peace. First and foremost, we should remember that God wants us to come to Him with our worries and to trust Him to take care of us.
Another helpful way to cope with worry is to prioritize joy and gratitude. Reminding ourselves of the good things in life can help us to gain a different perspective on our worries. It can also help us to become more mindful and present in our lives, which can do wonders for our mental health.
We can also use calming activities to treat our worries – such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing. Additionally, we can make sure we are getting enough sleep and eating a healthy diet. All of these steps can help us to stay grounded and keep our worries at bay.
Seeking Help
If we find ourselves unable to cope with our worries and manage our stress, we should consider seeking the help of a mental health professional. A good therapist can provide us with the tools necessary to process our worries and to take proactive steps towards healing and recovery from our anxiety.
Mental health organizations can also be a source of support and healing, whether it is through online support groups or in person meetings. Additionally, there are a wealth of online resources and books available for people struggling with worry.
Getting Creative
One helpful way to survive and thrive during times of worry is to find creative outlets that can help provide us with an escape from our worries. Writing, drawing, painting, dancing, singing, and playing music can all be great ways to express ourselves and to relieve our worries. And, who knows, maybe these activities can even turn into passions or even businesses.
We can also find joy and peace through our hobbies, whether it be gardening, surfing, playing sports, or simply walking in nature. Doing activities that we enjoy can help to keep our stress levels low and to relieve our worries – and who knows, we may come out of them with new perspectives on our worries.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, overcoming our worries and finding peace is a lifelong journey. We all have different tools and resources at our disposal, but the most important thing to remember is that we are never alone in our struggles. God is always there to comfort us, and with Him in our lives, anything is possible.
Ultimately, it’s up to us to choose how we will respond to our worries. While the Bible does tell us not to worry, what matters most is that we take our worries and troubles to God, and trust Him with our lives. That, more than anything else, is the key to contentment and peace.
