How to Win Over Worry

Dear Friends,

In III John 4 we read: “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.” It is in that spirit that I write you today. It is my eager desire and joy to see people walk in the truth.

Recently, I was asked for my sermon notes on “worry.” Because of that request, as well as encouragement I have received from others, I have summarized some of those notes. It is my desire to see the Lord use these “Golden Nuggets” from His Word to encourage you. The following are some sobering thoughts about worry. Hang on, because these are direct and close to home.

To worry means, “to rip or tear apart.” This is what happens to us spiritually when we worry. The worrier looks at the potentiality of things and visualizes the bad possibilities that can happen. The worrier looks into the future and is disquieted because of sinful, distrustful thoughts about God. The worrier fears the unknown, uncontrollable future. The worrier tries to steal tomorrow, although tomorrow always belongs to God. The worrier distrusts God and disbelieves Scripture. The worrier is chained and ruled by circumstances and has small faith. Unfortunately, these symptoms reveal idols and lies in his heart (i.e. people are big in his life, circumstances are big in his life, but God is small). He questions God’s love and care over his life and can be lazy. This worry is disquieting and tormenting. It is a hurrying thought that comes from a distrustful and unbelieving heart. It reveals a heart set on the earth and not on things above. (Colossians 3:1-2)

Worry has even more children. If we worry about finances, it may give rise to coveting, hoarding, stealing, and greed. If we worry about relationships, it may cause us to be indifferent, withdrawn, uncaring, and enslaved to the opinions of others. If we worry about human achievements and success we can become irritable, surly (bad tempered, rude) and abrupt. When we worry about how other people respond to us, we will fear their response. When we are fearful in relationships, we can be tempted to cover the truth and lie.

Lastly, worry can foster an attitude of laziness. In Matthew 25:14-30, the servant was rebuked after he buried his talent in the ground because he was lazy and fearful. If we are worriers, we can easily fall into the clutches of laziness. Jesus simply wants us to be faithful with what he has given, not worry about what might happen. I trust we are not like this servant. He is a sad illustration of the tragedy of wasted opportunity.

It behooves us to break the back of worry. If we do, we can conquer many other bedeviling sins. If we kill the sinful origin of worry, we can vanquish many of its demonic children and become more like Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29).

How do I win over worry? Let us look at encouraging words from the Bible. The way to win over worry is to remember what Jesus said in Matthew 6:25-34: First, remind yourself that worry is needless because of God’s care over your life (v. 25-26). Because God takes care of the birds of the air and feeds them, He will take care of us. Are we not much more valuable than the birds? Second, worry is unproductive. It is like rocking in a rocking chair: We expend a lot of effort and energy but get nowhere. Third, Jesus tells us that worry is a sign of weak faith (v. 30). Our lack of belief in God and His Word is often our greatest weakness. The way to increase our faith and build our belief is to remember that faith comes from hearing, and hearing from the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Lastly, in v. 33-34, worry reveals the wrong priority. Seeking God’s kingdom is the right priority. Scripture implores and encourages us to seek the kingdom first. Worry reveals that we do not seek the kingdom of God first. We must resist the temptation of putting relationships, jobs, friends, family, grades, music, clothes, sleep, athletics, career, the Internet, or anything else before God. This is how we win over worry. We should not worry about tomorrow because tomorrow has enough trouble of its own. Of course, we are to plan and have prudent foresight, but we are not to prepossess the difficulties and calamities of tomorrow. Prolific author and Pastor, Jay Adams, writes this about Jesus’ statements on worry:

“In these words you have God’s answer to worry. Each day has enough trouble of it's own. Do not focus your concern upon tomorrow’s problems; there are enough to handle today. Tomorrow always belongs to God. Tomorrow is in His hands. Whenever we try to take hold of it, we try to steal what belongs to Him. Sinners want what is not theirs to have, and thereby destroy themselves. God has given us only today. He strongly forbids us to become concerned about what might happen. That is entirely in His hands. The tragic fact is that worriers not only want what has been forbidden, but also fail to use what has been given to them.”

Worry is a deceptive sin because it is a thinking sin. We so often commit this sin without realizing it. Therefore, worry is a sin that needs continual repentance. Go to the cross and receive God’s great grace through Christ. Confess your worry, and be renewed by His grace and power (Phil. 2:12-13). He has paid for every sin of worry, and promises to help us. God promises in Isaiah 26:3, “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You. We are empowered to do our duty with joy and leave all of the events of life to God. Why? Because we can trust in the providence of our Almighty, Sovereign God, who wisely orders our footsteps. As you wake up in the morning, remember Lamentations 3:22-23, “The Lord’s loving-kindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.”

Let us remember that God is not only the God of today, but He is also the God of tomorrow. Let us cast worry on it's ear by casting all our cares upon Him (I Peter 5:7). Let us commit to serving Jesus Christ daily and delightfully as we are satisfied in the greatness and goodness of God. God has showered us with His great grace and given us hope in His shining promises for our future. That is something to be glad about! Don’t worry, worship!

Yours in His service; delighted to see you walk in truth.

Rick Hoppe
Pastor-Teacher