Worry is something I have long struggled with. I’m a worrier, although I may call it “concern” or “attention” or “caution” or something similar. Whatever I might name it, it needs to be addressed in my life, and Jesus gives us some direct and pointed insights on the topic.

In this passage in Matthew 6, Jesus gives us some direct instructions about worry. There are so many things that take place in our lives that are beyond our control, and worrying about them won’t change a thing. I worry about my wife driving late at night. I worry about my older kids as they travel, as they build and form relationships, and as they seek to live as functional adults.

I worry about my younger kids as they grow into who God has called them to be. I worry about their friends, about how much time they may spend online or playing video games. I worry about their safety and health.

I worry about my job, in my role as a minister. I worry about those I cannot please, no matter what I do. I worry about those who are close to me, and my own influence upon them.

I worry. … A lot.

But Jesus says, “For this reason… do not be worried about your life” (Matthew 6:25). Do not worry. Do not be anxious. Do not dwell on this stuff. The word that Jesus uses here in Greek means “to have the mind distracted.” After all, that’s what worrying is. It’s distraction. It’s focusing on those things that we cannot change instead of what we should be focused on: the one who does have the ability to change things.

Of course, Jesus does not forbid common sense and prudent forethought. You might think of this in the same way we think about stewardship. Jesus doesn’t condemn money; he just asks us to view it the right way, and with the right motives. Our concerns and worries are the same. If we approach this with a “mind stewardship,” we may have a better grasp on how to avoid worry, and focus on Jesus instead.

Jesus tells us that God cares for the birds (verse 26) and the lilies (verses 28-29). Later, Paul tells us that God will “supply all your needs” (Philippians 4:19). God knows we need food, clothes, and shelter. The one who seeks God’s Kingdom first will have his needs met, too (Psalm 37:25).

That’s all great stuff, but it still leaves the question lingering in my mind, “How do I do this? How do I set worry aside and leave it be?”

One of the best books I’ve ever read that addresses this topic is The Good And Beautiful Life, by James Bryan Smith. In this book, Smith walks through the Sermon on the Mount section by section, and his chapter on worry carried a one-two punch to my soul. He hit me right where I live.

Smith defines worry as, “a disproportionate level of concern based on an inappropriate measure of fear.” Read that again. In other words, it’s alright to be concerned or cautious, but when we move past that into the realm of worry, we are in the grip of fear of the things we cannot control.

What Jesus is asking here in this passage of Matthew is that we let go of the one thing that we feel like we can control. He’s asking us to trust that he knows what we need better than we do ourselves.

Smith puts this into perfect perspective for me later in his chapter. It’s worth quoting in full:

“Worry keeps me focused on my own limited resources. Trust keeps my attention on God’s abundant resources. This is why worry cannot exist in the kingdom of God. Worry happens when I am on the throne of my life, when I live in the kingdom of me. But we trust when God is on the throne of our lives and we live in his kingdom. That is why the solution to worrying is to seek first the kingdom.”

See what I mean? A one-two punch to the soul. As long as I am in the grip of worry, I can’t seek the kingdom. And the reverse of that is true as well. If I’m seeking the kingdom, then worry cannot have any claim on my mind and my thoughts.

And the promise here? When I allow God to be the one in control, instead of trying to wrestle that away from him, “all these things will be added to you.” He will take care of the details that would otherwise occupy my mind. It seems to me that living like this is a much better way than my own. And it seems like it will lead to more joy and confidence and trust and peace.

And that’s what I long for when I worry in the first place.

Question: How do you address worry in your life? What have you found to be a helpful strategy? You can leave a comment by clicking here.