The preceding year has provided us with multiple opportunities and excuses for worry. Perhaps you fret about finances, family issues, physical problems, or your future. The possibilities are endless. Where can we find relief? What did Jesus advise?

Life in the First-century World

Scholars estimate 90% of first-century Judeans and Galileans lived at or below subsistence level, resulting in fragile economic security. Most people were tenant farmers, which meant they were one poor harvest away from paralyzing poverty and severe shame. After paying taxes, they struggled to find enough left over to feed their families. Even most city dwellers lived hand to mouth, wrestling with limited food, water, and sanitation. Can you imagine the daily fear and desperation?

As an itinerant rabbi, Jesus endured the same conditions as his countrymen. He understood their pain, their misery, their fear, their stress. So what advice did he offer?

Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.… do not worry about tomorrow. 

Matthew 6:25, 34

Confusing counsel in any age for those who live on the brink of catastrophe. Then why shouldn’t we worry? Because we have limited control over the events of life.

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

Matthew 6:27

Anxiety can consume us when we face difficulties. Because he recognizes our powerlessness, Jesus redirects our energies.

Seek first [God’s] kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 

Matthew 6:33

Not that necessities are unimportant, but that they shouldn’t be our primary concern. The peace and provision we seek are by-products of godly priorities and obedience.

Winning over Worry

Despite knowing worry is a waste of time and life, many succumb to the temptation. How can we resist? 

1. Recognize the source. Worry reveals our distrust of God and desire to control—sins we must confess. 

Let the wicked forsake their ways
   and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them,
    and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.

Isaiah 55:7-8

2. Resolve to seek God’s perspective and plan before ours. Make his ways our way. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

3. Replace troublesome thoughts with scripture. Meditate on God’s Word rather than our worries.

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Joshua 1:8

4. Rest in God’s promises.

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

(Isaiah 26:3)

5. Repeat steps 1-4 whenever necessary.

God can use our struggles to strengthen our faith when we surrender to him. Instead of worrying, we can trust the Trustworthy One. What if we prioritized God’s purposes over ours, trusting him for all we need? Life would be simpler and our hearts and health stronger.