Overcoming Worry: Trusting God's Faithfulness Daily

Summary

Worry is a universal struggle, one that Jesus addresses directly in Matthew 6. Life is filled with pressures—financial, relational, and existential—and our culture is quick to remind us of all the things we “should” be anxious about. Yet, Jesus commands us not to worry, not as a suggestion, but as a divine imperative. Worry is not simply a harmless habit; it is a spiritual issue that reveals a divided mind and a lack of trust in God’s faithful provision.

Looking back, we see that God has always been faithful. Just as He provided for the Israelites in the wilderness—giving them food, water, and protection—He has carried us through every trial and hardship. Remembering God’s past faithfulness is a powerful antidote to present anxiety. When we forget what God has done, we shift our focus from our Provider to our problems, and worry takes root.

Jesus teaches us to live in the present, trusting God for today’s needs. He points to the birds and the lilies as living illustrations: they do not worry, yet God cares for them. How much more, then, will He care for us, His beloved children? Worry is not only foolish and fruitless—it cannot add a single hour to our lives—but it is also faithless, undermining our trust in the One who gave His own Son for us.

The solution Jesus offers is both simple and profound: seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. When God’s will becomes our priority, worry loses its grip. We are called to live one day at a time, releasing tomorrow’s anxieties into God’s capable hands. Paul echoes this in Philippians 4: bring every concern to God in prayer, with thanksgiving, and His peace will guard our hearts and minds.

For those who do not know Christ, there are only two things worth worrying about: death and judgment. But Jesus offers salvation, reconciliation, and the promise that we never have to face life’s troubles alone. In God’s hands, our worries are not only safe—they are transformed. Trusting Him for yesterday, today, and tomorrow frees us to live with peace, purpose, and joy.

Key Takeaways

- Worry is a spiritual issue, not just an emotional one. Jesus commands us not to worry, and when we do, we reveal a divided mind and a lack of trust in God’s sovereignty. Worry is not an “acceptable” sin; it is a failure to obey God’s clear instruction, and it strangles our faith and joy. [42:45]

- Remembering God’s past faithfulness is essential for overcoming anxiety. Just as God provided for the Israelites in the wilderness, He has carried us through every trial and need. When we recall His provision, our confidence in His care for today and tomorrow is renewed, shifting our focus from our problems to our Provider. [41:49]

- Worry is both foolish and fruitless. It cannot change the past or control the future, and it never solves the problems we face. Most of what we worry about never comes to pass, and the energy spent on anxiety only robs us of strength for today. [49:53]

- Seeking first the kingdom of God is the antidote to worry. When we prioritize God’s will and righteousness above all else, our anxieties lose their power. Trust grows as we pursue God, and as we trust Him, we find that He provides for every need—often in ways we could not have imagined. [53:45]

- Living one day at a time is a discipline of faith. Jesus calls us to release tomorrow’s troubles into God’s hands and to focus on faithful obedience today. As we bring our concerns to God in prayer, with thanksgiving, His peace guards our hearts and minds, freeing us from the bondage of worry. [56:41]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[28:21] - Setting Our Priorities: The Grape Jelly Story
[33:44] - The Problem of Worry in Our Culture
[35:08] - Jesus’ Command: Do Not Worry
[36:24] - God’s Care for Birds and Lilies
[41:49] - Remembering God’s Faithfulness
[42:45] - Worry as a Divided Mind and Sin
[44:13] - The Respectable Sin of Worry
[49:53] - The Futility and Fruitlessness of Worry
[50:59] - Most Worries Are Unfounded
[52:24] - God’s Provision for His Children
[53:45] - Trusting God for Tomorrow
[55:10] - Living One Day at a Time
[56:41] - Paul’s Prescription for Peace
[58:18] - Practical Steps to Seek God’s Kingdom
[59:37] - The Urgency of Salvation
[01:01:45] - Whose Hands Are Your Worries In?
[01:02:22] - Prayer and Invitation
[01:05:02] - Celebration and Next Steps

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: “Do Not Worry” (Matthew 6)

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### Bible Reading

Matthew 6:25-34 (ESV)
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious 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?
26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,
29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

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### Observation Questions

1. According to Jesus in Matthew 6, what are some of the specific things people tend to worry about?
2. What examples from nature does Jesus use to teach us about God’s care and provision?
3. How many times does Jesus command us not to worry in this passage, and what is the significance of the repetition? [42:45]
4. What does Jesus say is the solution to worry in verse 33?

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says that worry is not just a harmless habit, but a spiritual issue that reveals a divided mind and a lack of trust in God. Why do you think Jesus treats worry so seriously? [42:45]
2. The pastor shared that remembering God’s past faithfulness is a powerful antidote to present anxiety. How does looking back at God’s provision help us trust Him for today and tomorrow? [41:49]
3. Jesus points to the birds and the lilies as examples. What does this teach us about our value to God and how we should view our daily needs? [36:24]
4. The sermon mentions that worry is both foolish and fruitless, and that most of what we worry about never comes to pass. Why do you think we still struggle with worry even when we know this? [49:53]

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### Application Questions

1. The pastor said that worry is a sin we often give ourselves a pass on, but Jesus commands us to stop worrying. Are there “respectable sins” in your life that you tend to excuse? How can you take Jesus’ command about worry more seriously this week? [42:45]
2. Think back over your life. Can you remember a time when you were worried about something that God ended up taking care of? How can you use that memory to encourage yourself or someone else when anxiety comes? [41:49]
3. Jesus tells us to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.” What would it look like for you to put God’s will and priorities first in a specific area where you tend to worry? [53:45]
4. The sermon challenged us to live one day at a time and release tomorrow’s anxieties into God’s hands. What is one practical step you can take this week to focus on today instead of being anxious about the future? [55:10]
5. Paul’s prescription in Philippians 4 is to bring every concern to God in prayer, with thanksgiving. Is there a worry you need to bring to God right now? How can you make prayer your first response instead of your last resort? [56:41]
6. The pastor said that for those who don’t know Christ, there are only two things worth worrying about: death and judgment. If you are not sure about your relationship with Jesus, what is holding you back from trusting Him today? [59:37]
7. The sermon ended with the reminder that “in God’s hands, our worries are not only safe—they are transformed.” What would it look like for you to put your worries in God’s hands this week? Is there a specific worry you need to surrender to Him? [01:01:45]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to spend a few moments in silent prayer, asking God to help them trust Him with their worries and to seek His kingdom first in the week ahead.

Devotional

Day 1: Do Not Be Anxious—Trust God’s Care for You
Jesus commands us not to worry about our lives, reminding us that our heavenly Father knows our needs and cares for us more than the birds of the air or the lilies of the field. Worry divides our minds and strangles our faith, but God’s faithfulness is proven in both the small and great things He has done for us. When we shift our focus from our problems to our Provider, we find peace and assurance that God will meet every need. Jesus’ words are not mere suggestions but commands, and He gives us the power to obey through His Spirit. Let us remember that worry is fruitless and faithless, and instead, rest in the loving care of our Father who values us deeply. [36:24]

Matthew 6:25-34 (ESV):
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious 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? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

Reflection: What is one specific worry you are holding onto today that you need to release to God, trusting that He values and cares for you even more than the birds and flowers?


Day 2: Remember God’s Faithfulness in the Past
Looking back on our lives, we can see countless times when God has provided, protected, and guided us through hardships and uncertainties. Just as Moses reminded the Israelites of God’s faithfulness in the wilderness, and Isaiah spoke of God’s care from the womb, we are called to remember and give thanks for how God has carried us. When we worry, we forget that God is in control and shift our focus from our Provider to our problems. By recalling God’s past faithfulness, we strengthen our trust for today and tomorrow, knowing that the God who parted the Red Sea and provided manna is the same God who cares for us now. [41:49]

Deuteronomy 1:30-31 (ESV):
“The Lord your God who goes before you will himself fight for you, just as he did for you in Egypt before your eyes, and in the wilderness, where you have seen how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all the way that you went until you came to this place.”

Reflection: Take a moment to recall a specific time in your life when God provided for you in a way you didn’t expect—how can remembering this help you trust Him with your current worries?


Day 3: Seek First the Kingdom—Reorder Your Priorities
Jesus teaches that the antidote to worry is to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, making God’s will our highest priority. When we focus on God’s purposes and trust Him with our needs, worry loses its grip and joy takes its place. Seeking God’s kingdom means learning about Him, growing in Him, and trusting Him more deeply each day. As we reorder our priorities to put God first—whether through prayer, service, or generosity—we experience the peace that comes from knowing our lives are in His hands. [53:45]

Matthew 6:33 (ESV):
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take this week to put God’s kingdom first in your daily routine or decision-making?


Day 4: Pray with Thanksgiving and Release Your Worries
God invites us to bring every worry to Him in prayer, with thanksgiving, trusting that He will guard our hearts and minds with His peace. The apostle Paul’s prescription for anxiety is to identify our worries, confess them to God, repent of our unbelief, and thank Him for His faithfulness. As we practice releasing our concerns to God, we experience a supernatural peace that surpasses understanding and protects us from the stranglehold of worry. Living one day at a time, we can trust God to handle both today’s troubles and tomorrow’s unknowns. [56:41]

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV):
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Reflection: What is one worry you can specifically name and bring to God in prayer today, thanking Him in advance for His peace and provision?


Day 5: Trust in Jesus for Salvation and Eternal Security
The greatest worry anyone can have is being separated from God, but Jesus offers salvation and eternal life to all who trust in Him. Our sin separates us from God, but through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are offered forgiveness, reconciliation, and a new life. If you have not yet trusted Jesus as your Savior, today is the day to turn from your sin and receive His gift of salvation. For those who are in Christ, we never have to fear the future, for God’s hands are strong enough to hold every worry and secure our eternity. [01:00:34]

John 3:16 (ESV):
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Reflection: If you have never trusted Jesus as your Savior, what is holding you back from surrendering your life to Him today? If you have, how does knowing your eternity is secure in Christ change the way you face today’s worries?

Quotes

Worry is a real problem whether you call it tension, whether you call it anxiety, whether you call it whatever you call it because we're wonderful at making up new words for things right. Jesus calls it worry. Jesus tells us not to be worried. [00:32:16] (18 seconds)  #WorryIsWorry Edit Clip

So the next time that you start to worry take a trip down memory lane and think about all of the things that you've worried about in the past that never came to fruition think about the things that did come to fruition and the fact that you have a faithful god who will not only part the red sea for you not only kill the entire egyptian army but he will provide every one of your needs god is faithful. [00:40:47] (26 seconds)  #RememberGodsFaithfulness Edit Clip

When we worry, we forget that God is in control. And we shift our focus from our provider to our problem. We need to look back at how God has taken care of us. [00:42:18] (17 seconds)  #FocusOnProviderNotProblem Edit Clip

When Jesus says, do not be anxious, he is not offering some good advice. He is offering a commandment from God. And see, failure to obey a commandment is what the Bible calls a sin. Now, you may not think of worry as sin, but it is. Because a sin is disobeying the commandments of God. [00:42:39] (21 seconds)  #WorryIsSin Edit Clip

Worry divides your mind, and it destabilizes everything that you do. Now, the problem that we have as Christians is that worry is one of those acceptable sins. Please notice I did the air quotes because there's no such thing as an acceptable sin. [00:43:57] (16 seconds)  #NoAcceptableSin Edit Clip

If God takes care of the birds of the air don't you think he's going to take care of us don't you think that you mean more to your heavenly father than a bird the answer is yes you do do you know how I know that because I look at the cross of Jesus Christ Jesus didn't die to save birds because birds don't need saving he died to save us he died to save a race of rebels and sinners who violated God's commands who did commit adultery who did use profanity who did get intoxicated and who did worry that's who Jesus died for he died for you and he died for me. [00:48:06] (41 seconds)  #LovedBeyondBirds Edit Clip

Don't you believe that the God that redeemed you that broke the shackles of Satan that forgave you of your sin that took you from hell into heaven to put you in his kingdom gave you eternal life he's not going to get you through today and tomorrow that doesn't even make sense if we stop and think about that so that's why Jesus says that worry is foolish but it's also fruitless. [00:49:20] (22 seconds)  #RedeemedAndSecure Edit Clip

Worrying cannot add a single second to your clock. Worry never solved a problem. It never dried a tear. It never lifted a burden. It never removed an obstacle. Worry never made a bad thing good or a good thing better. Somebody one time said that worrying is like shoveling smoke. You're no better off when you're done than when you started. [00:49:48] (24 seconds)  #WorryIsFoolishAndFruitless Edit Clip

If you can change it, then change it. Don't worry about it. The second thing that you shouldn't worry about is things you can't change. Because if you can't change them, there's nothing you can do about it. So that pretty much encompasses just about every single thing that we worry about. If you can change it, change it. And if you can't, quit worrying about it. [00:50:28] (23 seconds)  #WorryShovelsSmoke Edit Clip

Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. In other words, when you make God's will your will, worry is going to disappear, and joy will take its place. [00:54:32] (17 seconds)  #GodCaresForYou Edit Clip