“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” (Matthew 6:25).
Life often presents challenges, and one of its more difficult aspects is its unpredictability. Many of us have clear goals and plans for achieving them, yet the uncertainty of success can trigger worry. Worry, however, is more than a human reaction; for believers, it is an unethical response. Jesus warns against worry, encouraging us to trust in God’s provision.
What is worry?
Worry is a mental preoccupation—a form of thinking oriented towards the future, often based on past experiences or present circumstances. It stems from a “what if” mindset, the anticipation of negative outcomes that may never materialise. Worry is an excessive concern over what might happen, creating tension and anxiety that can have far-reaching impacts on our wellbeing.
From a physical perspective, worry is detrimental to health. Scripture notes: “Anxiety weighs down the human heart, but a good word cheers it up” (Proverbs 12:25). Persistent worry traps us in an unhealthy state, impacting both body and mind.
Snare to spiritual health
Christian life is meant to be characterised by peace, joy, and hope, regardless of our circumstances. Job exemplified this attitude, declaring: “Though he slay me, yet I will trust in the Lord” (Job 13:15). Similarly, the Apostle Paul encourages us that “in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).
Even in the face of hardship, believers are called to lean on God’s strength. In Acts 16:25, we see Paul and Silas singing in prison chains, demonstrating that even in bondage, a believer’s spirit can be free. When the three Hebrew men were cast into a fiery furnace, they chose to worship God instead of yielding to fear (Daniel 3). Worry, however, distracts us from living in this faith, becoming a tool that Satan uses to keep us from experiencing God’s peace. Caught up in “what-ifs,” we lose sight of God’s promises, allowing doubt to overshadow trust.
Unethical worry
Worry, at its core, is fear of the unknown—a preoccupation with potential problems that challenges faith. Unlike faith, worry is an irrational and often superstitious fixation on a particular outcome, making it counter to the teachings of Christ. As Jesus stated: “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:27). Worry does not solve our challenges; rather, it compounds them. When we worry, we take responsibility for things beyond our control, stepping into territory meant solely for God.
In essence, worry is counterproductive. It entices us to doubt God’s ability to provide and challenges our faith in His promises. Worry is therefore unethical because it leads us away from reliance on God and disturbs the peace that comes from trusting Him fully.
Snare of worry
A snare is a trap, designed to deceive and capture its target. In the world of hunting, snares are cleverly disguised, often baited to attract prey unsuspectingly. This analogy applies well to the spiritual snare of worry. King Saul, for instance, set a snare for David, hoping to prevent him from achieving his God-given purpose (1 Samuel 18:21).
Drawing from personal experience, I recall a time when we lived as cattle keepers. A lion, rather than leaping into a kraal to snatch prey, would circle around the enclosure, roaring and spraying its scent to incite panic among the animals. Often, the most frightened animal would jump out of the kraal and fall into the lion’s clutches. This scenario illustrates how worry leads us into spiritual danger, becoming a pathway through which fear overtakes us and robs us of God’s peace.
The Bible describes worry as a tactic of our adversary: “Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary, the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering” (1 Peter 5:8-9). Here, we are reminded that worry is one of the enemy’s tools to create doubt, disrupt our faith, and draw us into despair.
To counteract worry, we must remain steadfast in faith, recognising that God is sovereign over all circumstances. He calls us to surrender our fears and trust Him to strengthen and establish us, even in difficult times. The promise of 1 Peter 5:10 provides great comfort: “And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you.”
In essence, worry is an act that undermines both physical and spiritual wellbeing. As believers, we are called to resist it, to be vigilant against the adversary’s tactics, and to hold fast to the peace and hope that come from trusting in God.
By Pr Isaiah White
