Worry: “Stopping Before You Start”

Worry is a powerful force that often keeps us from stepping into the life God has called us to live. It’s not just about being anxious over real problems, but more often, it’s the potential problems—the “what ifs”—that paralyze us before we even begin. We see this in Peter’s story, a disciple who, despite his boldness, was crippled by fear and worry at crucial moments. Peter’s journey from confident follower to denier of Christ, and then to restored leader, is a mirror for our own struggles with worry and failure.

God’s command is clear: we are to go, grow, and obey. Worry interrupts all three. It convinces us to stay in the boat, to return to what’s comfortable, and to avoid the risk of failure. Yet, the God we serve is the God of the impossible—the One who parts seas, shuts lions’ mouths, and raises the dead. When we forget this, we allow the enemy to sow chaos and doubt, whispering lies that we are alone, unloved, or beyond forgiveness.

Peter’s restoration is a testament to God’s grace. Even after his failure, Jesus meets him where he is—back at the fishing boat, doing what’s easy. Jesus doesn’t shame him; instead, He calls Peter back to his true purpose: “Feed my lambs. Tend my sheep. Feed my sheep.” The path forward isn’t to dwell in regret or fear of failing again, but to focus on the task God has given, trusting that He will provide the strength and opportunity to fulfill it.

Remembering what God has done in the past is crucial. It reminds us that He is faithful and that our failures are not the end of our story. God restores, forgives, and gives new opportunities. The antidote to worry is not a guarantee of an easy life, but a call to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to trust Him with our future. When we focus on Jesus and the purpose He’s given us, worry loses its grip, and we are free to follow Him boldly, knowing He is not done with us yet.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Worry Paralyzes Purpose Worry often stops us before we even start, convincing us that potential problems are insurmountable. This fear keeps us from obeying God’s call to go, grow, and serve, robbing us of opportunities to experience His power and faithfulness. Recognizing that most of our worry is about things that may never happen helps us see how the enemy uses it to keep us stagnant. [03:57]
• 2. The Enemy Thrives in Chaos and Doubt Spiritual warfare is real, and the enemy’s strategy is to create chaos and confusion, distracting us from God’s voice. When we focus on the turmoil around us, we lose sight of God’s sovereignty and goodness. Identifying the true enemy behind our worry shifts our perspective and helps us fight with spiritual weapons, not just human effort. [09:30]
• 3. Failure Is Not Final—God Restores and Recommissions Peter’s denial of Christ was a deep failure, but Jesus met him in his brokenness and restored him to purpose. Our own failures, no matter how shameful, are not the end; God forgives, heals, and gives us new opportunities to serve. Restoration comes when we bring our regrets to Jesus and let Him redefine our future. [16:37]
• 4. Remembering God’s Faithfulness Fuels Courage Looking back on what God has done in our lives builds faith for the future. When we recall His past provision, forgiveness, and guidance, we are reminded that He is trustworthy and able to lead us through present and future challenges. This practice of remembrance is a powerful antidote to worry and doubt. [23:47]
• 5. Focus on Your Calling, Not Your Fear Jesus’ repeated question to Peter, “Do you love me?” redirects our attention from our failures and fears to our relationship with Him and the task He’s given us. Our calling is to love God wholeheartedly and serve where He has placed us, trusting that He will equip us for whatever lies ahead. When we focus on Jesus and His purpose for us, worry loses its power.
  
  ** [29:02]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:14] - Defining Worry and Its Impact
• [01:38] - When Worry Is Real
• [02:23] - Worry and Missed Opportunities
• [03:57] - Worry as Stopping Before You Start
• [04:29] - Remembering God’s Power
• [05:24] - Identifying the Real Enemy
• [08:37] - Peter’s Story: The Upper Room
• [11:20] - Jesus Predicts Peter’s Failure
• [14:55] - The Depth of Peter’s Shame
• [16:37] - God’s Restoration After Failure
• [19:39] - Taking the First Step After Failure
• [21:36] - Remembering What God Has Done
• [24:41] - Peter’s Encounter with the Risen Jesus
• [26:46] - Jesus’ Threefold Question: Do You Love Me?
• [29:02] - Focusing on Your Calling
• [32:40] - The Greatest Commandment
• [34:38] - God Does the Impossible
• [36:08] - Jesus Addresses Peter’s Fear of Failing Again
• [38:46] - Living in Victory, Not Worry
• [39:44] - Jesus Is Not Done With You
• [40:47] - Final Encouragement and Prayer

Bible Reading

John 21:1-19 (ESV) — > After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.

> When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

> When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Observation Questions

1. What did Peter decide to do after Jesus’ resurrection, and how did the other disciples respond? (John 21:3)
2. How did Jesus interact with Peter after the disciples had finished fishing? What specific questions did Jesus ask Peter? (John 21:15-17)
3. According to the sermon, what was Peter’s emotional state after denying Jesus, and how did Jesus address it when they met again? [[15:15]]
4. What task did Jesus give Peter after restoring him, and how many times did he repeat it? (John 21:15-17)

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Peter went back to fishing after seeing the resurrected Jesus? What does this say about how people often respond to failure or worry? [[20:17]]
2. Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?” How does this relate to Peter’s earlier denial, and what might Jesus have been teaching Peter through this repetition? (John 21:15-17)
3. The sermon says that “worry paralyzes purpose.” In what ways did worry or fear keep Peter from stepping into his calling, and how did Jesus help him move past it? [[03:57]]
4. The sermon mentions that remembering God’s faithfulness in the past helps us trust Him for the future. How did Jesus remind Peter of his original calling, and why is this significant? [[21:36]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon says that worry often stops us before we even start. Can you think of a time when worry or fear kept you from doing something you felt God wanted you to do? What was the “what if” that held you back? [[03:57]]
2. Peter went back to what was comfortable—fishing—after his failure. Are there areas in your life where you tend to retreat to what’s easy or familiar instead of stepping out in faith? What would it look like to “leave your nets” and follow Jesus in that area? [[20:17]]
3. Jesus didn’t shame Peter for his failure but restored him and gave him a new opportunity. How do you usually respond to your own failures? Do you tend to dwell in regret, or do you allow Jesus to restore and recommission you? [[16:37]]
4. The sermon talks about the enemy sowing chaos and doubt, making us feel alone or unforgivable. Are there specific lies or doubts you struggle with that keep you from trusting God’s purpose for you? How can you fight these with truth? [[06:32]]
5. Jesus told Peter to “feed my lambs, tend my sheep, feed my sheep.” What is one specific way you can serve or care for others this week as part of your calling? [[29:10]]
6. Remembering God’s faithfulness fuels courage. Take a moment to recall a time when God provided for you or brought you through a hard season. How can remembering this help you face current worries or challenges? [[23:47]]
7. The sermon says the antidote to worry is not an easy life, but loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. What is one practical step you can take this week to focus more on loving God and trusting Him with your future? [[33:34]]