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A Warning Light, Not a Life Sentence
– Jesus (Matthew 6:25)
Worry is something we all experience. It creeps in when uncertainty looms, when things feel out of control, or when we don’t know what the future holds. But instead of seeing worry as something to ignore, what if we viewed it as a warning light—one that invites us to pause, reflect, and turn to God?
Jesus never dismissed worry with a wave of the hand. Instead, He pointed us to something deeper: the unwavering care of our heavenly Father. He knows exactly what we need, and He calls us to place our security, belonging, and trust in Him rather than in things that will never truly satisfy.
Let’s take a closer look at what worry might be revealing and how Jesus invites us to respond.
1. Worry May Signal That We’re Searching for Security in the World
Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” (Matthew 6:19-20)
It’s natural to want stability—financial security, a clear plan, a sense of control over our future. But if our peace is dependent on external circumstances, worry will always be lurking in the background.
Jesus reminds us that our true security isn’t found in paychecks, job titles, or perfect plans. It’s found in Him. He invites us to trust that, no matter what changes around us, we are held by an unchanging God.
2. Worry May Indicate We’re Seeking Belonging in People-Pleasing
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God?” (Galatians 1:10)
Sometimes, our anxiety stems from an unspoken fear: What if I disappoint someone? What if I don’t measure up?
We can exhaust ourselves trying to keep everyone happy, but Jesus reminds us that our worth is not determined by how others perceive us. We are already deeply loved, fully known, and completely accepted by Him.
If worry is whispering that you need to do more to prove yourself, pause and ask: Am I striving for approval that I already have in Christ?
3. Worry May Reveal That We Are Carrying Burdens We Were Never Meant to Carry
Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
Worry often stems from the weight of responsibility—trying to control outcomes, manage every detail, or make sure everything turns out okay. But Jesus never asked us to carry the world on our shoulders.
Instead, He invites us to surrender our burdens to Him. Trusting God doesn’t mean we stop caring or making wise decisions, but it does mean we stop carrying what isn’t ours to hold.
4. Worry Might Be Pointing to an Unspoken Fear of the Future
Jesus asked, “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:27)
We often believe that if we worry enough, we can prevent bad things from happening. But worry doesn’t give us control—it just steals our peace.
Jesus reminds us that God provides for the birds of the air and the flowers of the field. If He cares for them, how much more does He care for you? Your future is not unknown to Him, and He is already there, preparing the way.
5. Worry Might Be the Holy Spirit Nudging Us Toward Surrender
Jesus said, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)
Sometimes, worry is an invitation. Not to despair, but to surrender.
What if, instead of letting worry spiral into anxiety, we allowed it to lead us back to God? What if, every time we felt overwhelmed, we turned our hearts to prayer, worship, and trust?
Jesus calls us to seek His kingdom first—to prioritise His presence, His peace, and His promises. When we do, we’ll find that many of the things we worried about begin to lose their grip.
Where Does Worry Come From? Understanding the Root
Worry doesn’t appear out of nowhere. It often takes root in our lives due to past experiences, patterns we’ve absorbed, or deep-seated fears. If we want to interrupt the cycle of worry, we need to understand where it began.
Here are some insights into why worry might be deeply embedded in your thinking:
1. We Saw Worry Modelled
Did you grow up in a home where worry was the default response to life’s challenges? If a parent or caregiver was constantly worried about money, safety, or the future, you may have absorbed the belief that worry equals responsibility.
Healing insight: You can acknowledge the example set for you while choosing a new way forward. God invites you to break generational cycles of fear and live with faith instead of anxiety.
2. We Experienced Lack or Uncertainty
If you’ve ever been through a season of extreme need—whether financial hardship, unstable housing, or food insecurity—your brain may have learned to anticipate worst-case scenarios as a form of self-protection.
Healing insight: God is your provider. He sees your needs and cares about you. You don’t have to live in a scarcity mindset when you belong to a God of abundance.
3. We Were Criticised or Pressured to Perform
If you grew up in an environment where love felt conditional—based on achievement, perfection, or approval—you may have developed a deep fear of making mistakes or letting people down. Worry, in this case, becomes a way to avoid failure.
Healing insight: Your worth isn’t tied to your performance. God’s love for you is steadfast, unchanging, and not based on how well you ‘get things right.’
4. We’ve Been Through Trauma or Loss
Painful experiences—whether betrayal, loss of a loved one, or unexpected hardship—can train the brain to anticipate danger. If something bad happened before, it’s easy to fear it will happen again.
Healing insight: Trauma affects the nervous system, but healing is possible. God does not leave us alone in our pain. He is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18).
5. We Live in a Culture of Control and Comparison
Modern life encourages us to be self-sufficient, plan ahead, and measure ourselves against others. But when we place our trust in our own ability to control outcomes, worry thrives.
Healing insight: Jesus invites us to seek first His kingdom (Matthew 6:33), letting go of the illusion of control and trusting Him with the details of our lives.
Breaking the Cycle: Practical Strategies to Interrupt Worry
Understanding the roots of worry is important—but how do we stop it from taking over our thoughts? Here are five practical, faith-based strategies to help break the worry cycle.
1. Redirect Your Thoughts with Scripture
When worry takes hold, pause and replace anxious thoughts with God’s truth. Write down verses that remind you of His faithfulness.
📖 Example: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)
Practical step: Keep a “worry replacement” list—whenever a worry arises, immediately counter it with a promise from Scripture.
2. Practice Surrender Through Prayer
Worry often comes from trying to control what isn’t ours to control. Practice surrendering your concerns to God.
🙏 Pray: “Lord, I release this situation into Your hands. I trust that You are working all things for good.”
Practical step: When you find yourself spiralling, physically write down your worries and then, in prayer, surrender each one to God.
3. Engage in Grounding Exercises
Worry takes us into the future—grounding brings us back to the present. Try breathing techniques, walking barefoot on the grass, or using your senses to stay in the moment.
🌿 Practical step: The “5-4-3-2-1” method: Name 5 things you can see, 4 you can touch, 3 you can hear, 2 you can smell, and 1 you can taste.
4. Set a ‘Worry Appointment’
If your mind races with anxious thoughts all day, try scheduling 15 minutes of “worry time.”
⏳ Practical step: When worry arises and interrupts your life, schedule in a time to address it. For example, tell yourself, “I’ll deal with this at 4:00 pm.” Then, when the time comes, write down concerns, pray over them, and move on.
5. Take Faith-Based Action
Sometimes, worry can be eased by taking small steps of courage. If financial worries overwhelm you, create a budget. If you fear loneliness, reach out to a friend.
👣 Practical step: Ask yourself, “What is one small, faith-filled step I can take today?” Then do it.
Reflection Questions
What is my worry revealing about where I’m placing my trust?
Am I trying to control something that belongs in God’s hands?
How would my perspective change if I truly believed that God is for me?
What would it look like to release this worry to Jesus today?
How can I replace anxious thoughts with the truth of God’s Word?
You Don’t Have to Process This Alone
If worry has been weighing you down, you don’t have to navigate it on your own. Counselling provides a safe, supportive space to process what’s beneath the surface and move toward peace. If you’d like extra support in working through your worry, I’d love to walk alongside you.