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What Does the Bible Say About Worry? – Viral Believer
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What Does the Bible Say About Worry?

Introduction

Do you ever find yourself consumed by worry, anxiety, or fear? As Christians, we know that we are not immune to these feelings, but we also know that we can turn to the Bible for guidance and comfort. In this blog post, we will explore what the Bible says about worry, and how we can apply its teachings to our lives.

Worry is a common and natural part of the human experience, but it can also be debilitating and paralyzing. It can affect our physical and mental health, our relationships, and our ability to enjoy life. But as we will see, the Bible provides clear and powerful insights that can help us overcome anxiety and trust in God’s plan for our lives.

Throughout this post, we will explore the biblical perspective on worry, including the Bible’s view of worry, examples of biblical characters who faced worry, and Bible verses on worry.

We will also look at some reasons not to worry, including trust in God’s sovereignty, faith in His promises, knowledge of His love, and the power of prayer.

Finally, we will explore some practical steps we can take to overcome worry, including developing a deeper relationship with God, trusting in His plan, practicing gratitude and mindfulness, and taking care of our physical and mental health.

worry in the Bible

What is Worry?

Before we dive into what the Bible says about worry, let’s define what worry is. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, worry is “mental distress or agitation resulting from concern, usually for something impending or anticipated.”

In other words, worry is the feeling of unease or fear that something bad might happen in the future. Here are some common types of worry:

  • Financial worries (e.g., debt, job loss)
  • Health worries (e.g., illness, injury)
  • Relationship worries (e.g., conflict, break-up)
  • Future worries (e.g., uncertainty, fear of the unknown)

Worry can affect us in many ways, both physically and mentally. Some signs of worry include:

  • Insomnia or sleep disturbances
  • Fatigue or lack of energy
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Muscle tension or headaches
  • Irritability or mood swings

The Bible’s Perspective on Worry

As Christians, we believe that the Bible is God’s word and that it contains wisdom and guidance for our lives. When it comes to worrying, the Bible offers us hope and comfort, reminding us that God is in control and that we can trust Him to take care of us.

Bible Verses on Worry

Here are some Bible verses that speak to the issue of worry:

  • “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34, NKJV).
  • “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6, NKJV).
  • “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7, NKJV).
  • “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27, NKJV).
  • “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33, NKJV).

These verses remind us that worry is not necessary or helpful and that we can trust God to take care of us. We are encouraged to cast our cares upon Him and seek His kingdom and righteousness first.

Examples of Biblical Characters who Faced Worry

Throughout the Bible, we see examples of characters who faced worry and anxiety. Here are a few examples:

  • Job, faced the loss of his possessions, health, and family, yet remained faithful to God and trusted in His plan.
  • David faced many trials and tribulations, including persecution, betrayal, and warfare, yet found comfort in God’s presence and promises.
  • Paul faced many hardships and persecutions for his faith, yet remained steadfast in his trust in God’s grace and sovereignty.

These examples show us that worry and anxiety are not unique to our modern times and that we can learn from the faith and courage of our biblical ancestors.

Reasons Not to Worry

Now that we have explored what the Bible says about worry, let’s look at some reasons why we should not worry.

Trust in God’s Sovereignty

As Christians, we believe that God is in control of all things and that nothing happens outside of His will. This means that we can trust that God has a plan for our lives and that everything that happens to us is part of that plan.

This knowledge can give us peace and comfort, knowing that we are in the hands of a loving and sovereign God.

The Bible says: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28, NKJV). This verse reminds us that even the difficult and painful things in life can ultimately work for our good and God’s glory.

Faith in God’s Promises

The Bible is full of promises from God that we can hold onto when we feel worried or anxious. Here are just a few examples:

  • “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5, NKJV).
  • “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6, NKJV).
  • “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9, NKJV).
  • “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7, NIV).

These promises remind us that God is with us, that He is our strength and help, and that we can bring our worries to Him in prayer.

Knowledge of God’s Love

One of the most important things we can remember when we are feeling worried or anxious is that God loves us. The Bible says: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16, NKJV).

This love is not based on our performance or our ability to keep ourselves worry-free but on God’s grace and mercy.

Knowing that we are loved by God can give us the courage and strength we need to face whatever challenges come our way. It can also help us to trust that God has our best interests at heart and that He will never leave us or forsake us.

The Power of Prayer

Prayer is one of the most powerful tools we have as Christians, and it can be a great antidote to worry. When we bring our worries to God in prayer, we acknowledge our dependence on Him and invite Him to work in our lives.

The Bible says: “Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7, NKJV).

When we pray, we surrender our worries to God and ask Him to take control. We can also ask Him for wisdom, guidance, and strength to face our challenges. Through prayer, we can experience the peace that comes from knowing that God is in control.

How to Overcome Worry

Now that we have explored some of the reasons not to worry let’s look at some practical steps we can take to overcome worry in our lives.

Develop a Deeper Relationship with God

One of the best ways to overcome worry is to deepen our relationship with God. This can involve spending time in prayer, reading the Bible, attending church, and connecting with other Christians.

When we spend time with God, we are reminded of His love, His faithfulness, and His promises. This can give us the strength and courage we need to face our worries and trust in His plan for our lives.

Trust in God’s Plan

As we’ve already noted, one of the main reasons not to worry is that we can trust in God’s sovereignty and His plan for our lives. But this trust doesn’t always come naturally, and it can be difficult to let go of our worries and fears. One way to develop this trust is to focus on the things that we know to be true about God:

  • He is good (Psalm 34:8)
  • He is faithful (Psalm 33:4)
  • He is wise (Romans 11:33)
  • He is loving (1 John 4:8)

When we focus on these truths, we can begin to trust that God has our best interests at heart and that He is working all things together for our good.

Practice Gratitude and Mindfulness

Another way to overcome worry is to practice gratitude and mindfulness. When we focus on the present moment and the blessings that we have, it can help us to put our worries into perspective. One way to do this is to keep a gratitude journal, where we write down the things we’re thankful for each day.

Another way is to practice mindfulness, which involves being fully present at the moment and paying attention to our thoughts and feelings without judgment.

Take Care of Your Physical and Mental Health

Finally, it’s important to take care of our physical and mental health when we’re feeling worried or anxious. This can involve getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, and practicing stress-reducing activities like meditation or yoga.

It can also involve seeking professional help if our worries are interfering with our daily lives.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Bible offers us powerful insights and teachings that can help us overcome worry and anxiety. By trusting in God’s sovereignty, His promises, and His love, we can find peace and comfort in the midst of our struggles.

We can also take practical steps to deepen our relationship with God, focus on the present moment, and take care of our physical and mental health.

As Christians, we have the privilege of knowing that we are not alone in our struggles. We have the support and encouragement of a loving God who has promised to never leave us or forsake us.

By turning to His word and seeking His guidance, we can overcome worry and anxiety and live the abundant life that He has planned for us.

If you are struggling with worry or anxiety, know that you are not alone. Take comfort in the promises of God and seek the support and encouragement of your fellow believers. With God’s help and the support of those around you, you can overcome worry and live the joyful, fulfilling life that He has planned for you.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.