What Does the Bible Say About Worry?
The Bible has a lot to say about worry, a very real and present emotion that we all face daily. In a variety of ways, the Bible addresses what it means to worry, how it can affect us, and ways to transcend the worrying state. Most experts agree that there are more than eighty explicit verses throughout the Bible that deal with worry, fear, and anxiety.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 says that “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God, and observe his commandments. For that is the whole duty of man.” This verse is particularly powerful in its focus on the importance of living in a way that bolsters the spirit, rather than one which contributes to fear and anxiety.
Where Does Worry Come From?
Phillip Yancy, a Christian author, explains that when we become separated from the reality of our spiritual selves, we create a vacuum that worry fills. According to Biblical references, worry is usually due to an “unhealthy attachment” in the physical world. Even though worry can be related to a variety of factors, a primary drivers of worry is an “attachment to property and possessions,” according to Yancy.
Matthew 6:25-34 makes the point that what we expect in the physical world is not necessarily reality. In essence, worry has a tendency to protect us from physical realities that we cannot avoid.
The Power of Worry
The fact is that worry has a certain power’, as it can drain our energy and drown out our voices. All too often worries can have a stifling affect on our minds and souls, and can lead us to hide from our authentic spiritual selves.
The reality is that Jesus has a place of healing from our worries. In Matthew 11:28-29 Jesus makes the point that it is the will of His Father that we take his yoke upon us and learn from Him, for his yoke is easy and his burden is light.
Lastly, the Bible also explains that to have a meaningful relationship with God and each other, we must face tough issues such as worry, and instead find a transition to a place of trust and healing.
Overcoming Worry
The first step in overcoming worry is to recognize that God is there with us, and that He is our source of power and comfort. One of the themes in the Bible is that worry grabs onto our hearts, and is distractive. As a result the focus should be on “Letting go of worry, and letting God handle our futures.”
Second, the Bible encourages us to meditate on the things that bring us joy, and to build spiritual habits that foster joy, generosity, and contentment. Philippians 4:8-9 remind us that it is through faith, not worry, that we will be sustained.
Lastly, scripture encourages us to approach worry from the perspective that we are working together with God, acknowledging His power and plans for mankind. This involves trusting His will, living in His love and seeing the beauty in all that happens in our lives.
Living in Love
Trust and fear are opposites, and scriptural examples of how to turn to faith and love when we are filled with worry are plentiful. In John 8:2-11, there is an example of Jesus standing up for two women who were accused of sinning, as a testament to how far we should go to live in love, even when faced with worry.
In roughly the same way, we can choose to stand in the face of worry and choose love. The Bible tells us that it is only through God that we can experience truly impartial love.
This is illustrated in God’s unconditional love for us, as expressed in Romans 8:31-39. Going beyond our fears, these verses draw us to a place of peace and security, as they remind us of ultimate truth, that we are never alone in our trials and tribulations.
Practicing the Presence of God
We can choose to practice the presence of God in our lives by actively remembering that He is there. This practice involves both acknowledging His continuous involvement in our lives and being aware of actions and thoughts that we can take now to honor Him, as expressed throughout scripture.
Proverbs 3:5-6 brings us a reminder that we should be consistent in bring our worries to Him and be assured of His strength and protection. These verses create an opportunity for us to be mindful and to reassess our connection to the power of God.
We can also turn to Matthew 11:28-30 for strength and assurance that He will give us the support that we need. This tells us that it takes faith over fear and trust in God over worry to live our lives in peace and joy.
Moving Forward with Faith
We can all draw on the power of faith to help us overcome signs and symptoms of worry. Habakkuk 3:17-18 reminds us that even in the midst of difficult times, spiritual truths remain the same, and that we can still trust God, even when we don’t understand His plans.
The author of the book of Isaiah offers us a message of hope in Isaiah 41:10-13. In it, He talks about how God will take care of us, and that we should not be swayed by the roller coaster emotions of life, but instead find a place of stability in Him.
This is echoed a few chapters later in Isaiah 43:1-3, where God talks of His faithfulness and the provision that He has for us. This is a great reminder of where our focus should lie, and that we can speak God’s words to combat our feelings of fear and despair.
Living with Courage
Living with courage is an essential component of overcoming worry. Deuteronomy 31:6-8 offers us a reminder that we should never feed fear and should instead live with courage, in order to be part of God’s plan for the world. It is by living with courage that we have the opportunity to fully live our lives, and to make the most of our experiences.
In addition, 1 John 4:17-18 speaks to how we should live with courage and face our fears with love, finding peace in knowing that God has already made the path for us. Finally, 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us to live with strength and courage, and to draw on God’s power to help us as we walk through this life.
Long-Term Resolutions to Worry
We can turn our worries into long-term solutions by actively choosing to trust God and letting go of our attachment to physical things in this world. By shifting our focus towards the spiritual realm, we have the opportunity to have a life that is more meaningful, lined with the power of faith.
By taking the time to meditate on scripture, to learn from the stories of others, and to live in a way that honors God’s vision, we can shift our relationship to worry. After all, the Bible is a tool that we have to help us understand and escape the current worries that we might be facing.
Growing in Faith
Growing in faith is also an essential component of moving through worry. Philippians 4:8-9 is a reminder of how we should let go of worry and embrace God’s plan, while at the same time letting go of the physical world.
Romans 8:28 is eternal truth, entreating us to live with faith in our hearts and the assurance that God has great plans for us, even in the midst of our worries.
Finally, we can create a connection to God’s power outside of ourselves by taking the time to remind ourselves of His goodness, as outlined in multiple Bible verses, such as Psalm 37:3-7 and Psalm 121:1-8.
Living in the Present
Finally, to live without fear, the Bible encourages us to focus on the present and to cultivate an attitude of trust and gratitude.
In Colossians 3:1-17, there is a powerful reminder that we should focus on living our lives according to Christ’s teachings and to be rooted in Him. This is further emphasized in Matthew 6:25-34, which encourages us to be mindful, content and generous, and to focus on the eternal rather than the physical.
In Luke 12:13-21, scripture emphasizes the importance of investing in our reputation in God’s eyes, rather than in possessions, so that we can live a life blessed with peace and joy.
These verses and many others in the Bible offer truths that can help us to escape our worries and to live for the presentmoment. This decision to move beyond our worries to a place of ultimate trust, is a prospect that all of us can strive for.
