Why Worry?
In a culture obsessed with maximizing time, it’s surprising how much of it we waste on worry.
Through a recent search, I learned that the average person spends over two hours a day worrying. That’s 16 hours a week, 830 hours a year, and nearly 8 full years over the course of a lifetime. This is a sad, sobering statistic and a whole lot of wasted time!
The truth is worry is something everyone deals with, including believers. Yet it’s a time stealer, a joy killer, and it’s completely unproductive. And for all the energy we invest in it, worry accomplishes nothing.
Still, the list of things we can worry about is endless, including relationships, finances, health, global unrest, and everything in between.
So clearly, there’s no shortage of things to worry about. But if worry is truly unproductive, the question we must ask is, “Why worry at all?”
This is precisely what Jesus speaks to in His teaching on worry, included in His famous Sermon on the Mount (see Matthew 6:25–34). Jesus challenged His listeners saying, “Do not worry,” “Why do you worry?” and “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?”. But Jesus wasn’t implying there was nothing to worry about. Far from it. He, of all people, understood life’s challenges—He faced them daily. Yet rather than lean into worry, Jesus chose trust, trust in His Father’s love, provision, and care.
And that’s exactly what He invites us to do.
Reasons Not to Worry
Jesus is gracious; He doesn’t just say, “Don’t worry.” Instead, He provides five solid reasons not to. In His “Do Not Worry” teaching Jesus reminds us that:
Life is about more than daily needs (Matthew 6:25)
We are deeply valuable to God (v. 26)
Worry adds nothing to our lives (v. 27)
God cares for creation and He cares for us too (v. 30)
And most significantly…
Our Father who loves us dearly already knows our every need (v. 32)
This is why Jesus encourages us not to worry about anything, but to instead seek His Kingdom and live righteously. If we’ll do this, He promises “all these things [we worry about] will be given to [us] as well” (v. 33).
Concern vs. Worry
It’s important to note that while Jesus told us not to worry. He never said we shouldn’t feel genuine concern for others. As His followers we are absolutely called to live with a compassionate awareness, to notice needs, to respond with love, and to stand against injustice. Yet we’re not meant to carry burdens beyond what we can bear—especially those that pull us into worry instead of trust.
And this is really good news.
It means we can care—without carrying the weight of fear and anxiety. We can be concerned—without being consumed.
And we can live on mission with God in this world free from worry and confident that our Father loves us deeply. He provides for us generously and He cares for us and for the things that concern us.
So today consider what things may be weighing on your heart and mind.
Are they concerns you can respond to? Or are they worries consuming your peace? If concerns, ask for wisdom and commit to respond with action. If worries, confess and release them to God.
Then respond with gratitude and worship to your Father in heaven who loves you deeply, knows you fully, and cares for you infinitely.
Pray
Father God, thank You for graciously reminding me that I’m not called to a life of worry, but that of trust. Help me to trust You with what I cannot control and with what I cannot yet see. Empower me with genuine concern for others—concern that leads to action, not driven by worry, but grounded in peace.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflect
What’s one practical step you can take to worry less and trust God more?
Friends, I’d love to hear your experience! Feel free to share your responses in the comment section below, or with me and others HERE!