Worry: The Treadmill That Gets Us Nowhere • Ps Nadia Clark

Jun 27, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: Birds and Flowers, Not Strangled by Tomorrow’s Thorns

Worry strangles life like a vine choking a plant. Jesus points to birds that don’t stockpile food and flowers that don’t spin clothing—yet God sustains them. His care isn’t passive; it’s intentional. When we fixate on hypothetical disasters, we forget our value to Him. Every anxious thought whispers, “God isn’t enough,” but creation shouts otherwise. Trust begins by naming what suffocates peace and surrendering it to the One who clothes lilies. [01:49]

“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 wear. 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?” (Matthew 6:25–26, ESV)

Reflection: Where does worry feel like a weight crushing your breath? What practical step can you take today to shift your focus from “what if” to “He is”?

Day 2: Trading the Treadmill for Treasure in Heaven

Worry is a treadmill—exhausting effort with no progress. Jesus links anxiety to misplaced seeking: chasing temporary security instead of eternal purpose. Pagans “run after” food and clothes, but believers are called to run after God’s kingdom. Every moment spent spiraling over finances, status, or approval is a moment stolen from worship. Choosing trust isn’t denial; it’s redirecting energy toward what lasts. [02:50]

“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.” (Matthew 6:31–33, ESV)

Reflection: What earthly concern dominates your mental “shopping list”? How would prioritizing God’s kingdom reshape your daily choices?

Day 3: Imagination’s Crossroads: Building Fear or Faith

The mind constructs reality—either amplifying fears or fueling faith. Worry hijacks imagination, scripting worst-case scenarios like a never-ending horror film. Yet God gave creativity to envision His promises, not our panic. The Israelites saw giants; Joshua saw God’s victory. Anxiety thrives in “what-ifs,” but worship answers with “what is”—His track record of provision. [23:25]

“And the Lord said to Moses, ‘How long will this people despise me? And how long will they not believe in me, in spite of all the signs that I have done among them?’” (Numbers 14:11, ESV)

Reflection: Where has your imagination rehearsed disaster instead of deliverance? What Scripture can you meditate on to rewrite the narrative with hope?

Day 4: The Sacred Tension: I Can Work, God Can Provide

Trust isn’t passive; it’s partnering with God in the dance of faith and action. Budget wisely, parent intentionally, vote thoughtfully—but then rest. Like wearing both running shoes and slippers, we labor where we’re called and lean where we’re carried. Striving says, “It’s all on me.” Trust says, “I’ll plant seeds, but You make them grow.” [27:05]

“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.” (Philippians 4:6–7, ESV)

Reflection: What responsibility have you shouldered alone? How can you practically “do your part” while releasing outcomes to God?

Day 5: From Anxious Rage to Gospel-Fueled Courage

Worry about the world’s chaos often fuels helpless anger. Yet Jesus redirects energy: spread hope, don’t hoard it. Rage at injustice without reaching the lost is empty. Praying for leaders matters, but so does inviting coworkers to church. Anxiety about global crises shrinks when we step into our mission—being light, not just lamenting darkness. [33:34]

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9, ESV)

Reflection: What burden for the world paralyzes you? How can you channel that concern into one act of love or courage today?

Sermon Summary

Jesus takes Matthew 6:25-34 straight at the heart, naming worry and then cutting down to its root. The passage calls disciples to stop running mental laps over food, drink, and clothing, then points at birds and lilies as living sermons. The birds do not sow or store, yet the Father feeds them. The lilies do not labor or spin, yet they outshine Solomon. The text argues value, time, and trust. Disciples are worth more than birds and grass, worry cannot add an hour, and a Father already knows their need.

Worry, as the image lands, is a treadmill that takes a person nowhere, a lot of sweat with no ground gained. The distortion of worry feels useful because the mind loves cause and effect, yet it quietly edits God out of the equation and leaves a person holding the whole world alone. Scripture counters that script, not with sentiment, but with promise and command. Philippians 4 calls for prayer with thanksgiving. John 14 gives Christ’s peace. 1 Peter 5 orders anxiety to be cast because a Father cares. Corrie Ten Boom’s line sharpens it, worry empties today of strength, and the older English sense of anxiety as strangling unmasks its thief.

Jesus then moves from symptom to source. The call to seek first the kingdom exposes what worry reveals, that the heart has been chasing approval, security, and success, often through money and reputation. Idolatry, even dressed in concern for children or career, will always breed fear. Kingdom-first devotion frees the heart to trust provision, and testimony bears this out, God has a way of arranging land, houses, timing, and tithes so that generosity and obedience meet supernatural supply.

God as Provider stands at the core. The Father’s care is personal, not theoretical, and distrust grieves him, as Numbers 14 shows in Israel’s contempt. Perfect love casts out fear, so the imagination is given to picture promise, not disaster. Tithing, giving, and courageous steps are not religious tricks, they are embodied trust.

Finally, the text lands the daily cadence. Do not worry about tomorrow trains a believer to tackle today faithfully. The tension is holy, runners for work and slippers for rest. Do what can be done, budget, seek counsel, set boundaries, see doctors, vote and witness, then sit down and let God be God. Every loop back to worry gets converted into prayer and worship. The call is simple and strong, get off the treadmill and be seated in his peace.

Key Takeaways

1. Seek first the kingdom, not security. When the heart chases approval, success, or control, fear follows close behind. Kingdom-first devotion reorders desire so provision is received, not squeezed out by striving. Jesus ties freedom from worry to redirected seeking, and promise follows reordered loves. [02:50]
2. Turn worry into worship and prayer. Worry edits God out of the picture, prayer ushers him back into it. Every spike of anxiety becomes a cue to praise, to thank, and to ask, which shifts the soul from rumination to reliance. That movement is not denial, it is obedience to the Prince of Peace. [20:43]
3. Trust God as personal provider. The Father feeds birds and dresses fields, and his children are worth far more. Distrust is not neutral, it treats God with contempt, yet his heart remains to partner, provide, and protect. Dwelling on his character, not headlines, trains the soul to expect his care. [21:15]
4. Work hard, then rest in trust. Faithfulness handles today’s tasks, but refuses to carry tomorrow’s weight. The rhythm is practical action followed by seated peace, moving between what a disciple can do and what only God can do. That cadence keeps a life off the treadmill and under his hand. [27:05]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:27] - Surrender and opening prayer
[01:12] - Matthew 6:25-34 read
[04:10] - The treadmill of worry
[06:22] - Why worry feels productive
[08:55] - Peace promised, anxiety rejected
[12:29] - Getting off the treadmill
[13:20] - Seek first the kingdom
[21:15] - God as Provider, not self
[25:44] - Dwell on character, not fear
[27:05] - Faithful today, not tomorrow
[28:41] - Works and trust in rhythm
[29:53] - Practical applications: relationships to health
[33:07] - Engage the world, rest in God
[35:55] - Casting cares in worship

Bible Study Guide

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.”

Observation Questions

What two examples from nature does Jesus use to illustrate God’s care, and what do they teach about His provision?
How does the sermon describe worry as a “treadmill” ([04:10]), and what makes it unproductive?
What practical actions does Jesus contrast with “pagan” behavior in verse 32, and what does this reveal about priorities?
According to the sermon, what does worry “edit out” of our perspective, and how does prayer address this? ([07:06])

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus connect worry to misplaced seeking (Matthew 6:33)? How might chasing approval, security, or success fuel anxiety?
The sermon mentions that distrust “treats God with contempt” (referencing Numbers 14:23). How does worry reflect our view of God’s character and faithfulness?
How does the tension between “work hard” and “rest in trust” ([28:41]) reflect a balanced Christian life? What happens if we neglect one side?
Why might Jesus emphasize daily trust (“do not worry about tomorrow”) instead of offering a long-term formula for security?

Application Questions

What specific worry tends to loop in your mind like a treadmill? How could you intentionally “convert” that worry into prayer or worship this week? ([20:43])
Identify one area where you’ve been seeking approval, control, or security more than God’s kingdom. What small step could you take to reorient your focus?
The sermon encourages dwelling on God’s character rather than circumstances ([25:44]). What attribute of God (e.g., provider, protector, faithful) do you need to meditate on when anxiety rises?
What is one practical action (e.g., budgeting, setting boundaries, seeking counsel) you can take this week to address a concern, and how will you then consciously “sit down” in trust? ([27:05])
How could you use your imagination to “build faith, not fear” ([26:08]) in a situation where you typically spiral into worst-case scenarios?
Where do you feel the tension between striving and trusting most acutely? What would it look like to wear “runners” (take action) and “slippers” (rest) in that area?

Sermon Clips

36s

#DwellOnHisCharacter

“``We cannot trust God and worry at the same time. So practically again, how do we live this out? We've got to dwell on his character rather than circumstance. We live in a day today with our phones, with media, where the clickbait is fear. Media knows that fear sells because it grabs our attention, so we're constantly surrounded by voices of fear. Voices trying to get our attention. We've got to turn that phone off sometimes and go, you know what? I'm dwelling in his character rather than the circumstances around me.”

33s

#DoYourPartTrustGod

“See we're led in this tension of I can and then God can. So when it comes to worry, we've got to know what mode to step into. So say we're worrying about our finances, well we need to be led in times by the works, by the things that we can do about it. So that's where it's so powerful. I can obey God by giving my finances to his church, by being generous with my giving. I'm being led by what I can do. I can budget wisely,”

32s

#WorryRevealsIdols

“So in every situation, he addresses the heart issue, and that's what he is doing in here. He isn't just addressing worry. He confronts the heart issue of worry reflects what we are seeking. Worry reveals what is captivating our heart. We just recently did the whole series on idols, an idol being anything that is more important than God. See, worry reflects what our heart is devoted to.”

34s

#TrustGodsTiming

“I trust that God can supernaturally lead the right person into my world So I'm not gonna lay awake at night worrying about it. No, God. I'm gonna turn every worry into a prayer. God, you say, Proverbs 16 verse nine, in their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their step. So God, I'm gonna trust you. God, lead that incredible person into my life. God, I trust what you have for me, and again, we find ourselves back in that place of rest. Again, there's a worry about our children.”

34s

#SeekWiseCommunity

“I want to encourage you man, godly wisdom, incredible moms in our church that you can look at the fruit of their parenting and their children and go, okay, I need to have a conversation with them. How did you do this? How do I work this? Get incredible wisdom from those around us, not just from Instagram, just a little encouragement there. And then place great boundaries around our kids. We can do so many incredible things, but then where do I need to rest? I need to believe that God supernaturally provides and protects and covers my children.”

33s

#WorkAndTrust

23s

#WorkByFaith

“That is not what our God teaches. He teaches us to trust him, but he also teaches us to work hard, he also teaches us to live out the godly principles that he gives us in his word. So it's this beautiful tension that we're called to live in of living in works but then also living by faith.”

33s

#StandPrayTrustGod

“Come on, we're also called to stand where we need to stand, but then we rest knowing our God is in control, knowing that he can turn the heart of a king, knowing that our God is able, he is sovereign, that no matter what we're seeing in the world around us, he is the one that ultimately we know the end goal. We know the end prize. It's eternity with him, so again, we come back to this place of prayer. We fall on our knees, and so we say, Jesus, have your way.”

42s

#FaithfulGivingTrustsGod

“I can honestly stand here today going twenty four years of giving faithfully to God's house, seeking him first, putting him first. He is faithful. He is faithful. And we can either choose to live seeking our own hand to provide, or we can choose to step into trusting him and seeking his hand to move in our lives. So I pray that you hear that with the right heart, that you hear that story because I wanted to share those details stirring our faith today, stirring our faith of what is possible, how the fact we have a good father.”

33s

#AuthenticNotPassive

“It's a buzzword today, it's very acceptable but you know what we should be careful about our casualness with this because we are claiming something for ourselves that isn't God's will for us and you may be like yeah well I'm being real, I'm authentic and yes we need to be real and authentic. It's one of the values of who we are as a church so we are real and authentic, we are real with what's going on in our lives but being real does not mean being passive. It doesn't mean we just get stuck on the treadmill,”

30s

#RootOutTheHeart

“See Jesus is a master at not just addressing the issue, but going for the heart condition that was driving the issue. He always spoke to the root of the behavior, not just the behavior itself. He said, do not commit adultery, but then also do not let lust in your heart because it starts with what we entertain in our heart. He said do not murder, but then he also confronted anger and contempt towards others that gets in our heart that drives that behavior.”

40s

#StopTheWorryTreadmill

“But here's the thing, this is such the dangerous thing about worry, worry is not beneficial for us because all about just us being in the equation. I mean where is God in this? Where is my helper? Where is my redeemer? Where is my provider? We take God out of the equation, and what ends up happening? It's all on us. And when it's all on us, it starts to get pretty tiring because we're on this treadmill, it's not taking us anywhere but it's definitely impacting us.”

37s

#StopStrivingPartnerWithGod

“As a mom, my heart would break because you wanna do life with them. You don't want them to be independent from you. You wanna do life together, and so often, I think God looks at us, and his heart breaks. Come on, stop striving. Stop trying to do it all in your own strength. I'm here. I wanna partner with you. I wanna be released through you. I love you. I'm right here.”

39s

#BeFaithfulToday

“The essence of what he is saying here is be faithful with the day that you've been given. Don't stress about tomorrow. Today is the gift that we've been entrusted with. But see, here's the thing. All through scripture, we are given this incredible tension of we're not called just to stay in this place of trusting God, living hippie carefree lives where it's like, well God's just gonna do it, and you know what? I can just sit back and relax. I don't need to work because God is my provider.”

36s

#TrustNotFear

“But so often, we see ourselves independently from God rather than seeing ourselves. We're his. We're his. He loves you. He wants to revive. He wants to reveal his goodness in our lives. We see this response when the Israelites have come out of Egypt and they're about to step into the promised land, but they come back from seeing the promised land and they're like, there's no way we can do it. There's no way. We're gonna end up being taken out by the giants of the land,”

37s

#GodTeachesTrust

“See, their distrust was contempt to God. That word contempt also means rejected and despised. You rejected, you despise me because you did not trust me. And you see God's heartbreak. He says to them, the children that you thought were gonna be taken captive, they're now the ones that are gonna step into the promised land, and I'm gonna teach them to trust me. I'm gonna reveal my faithfulness to me. See, it's a personal thing with God. Sometimes we see God as this deity”

31s

#PerfectLoveCastsFear

“You know, so often we live filled with fear, it's because we haven't got perfect love. What does the Bible say? Perfect love casts out all fear. When we find ourselves in that place of fear, okay, I gotta come back to his presence, knowing his word, knowing his character, because that literally pushes out fear. Other other thing we can do is use our imagination to build faith, not fear. God has given us our imagination so often we use it for fear.”

35s

#WorryIsDistrust

“Jesus is saying here we can trust God with the provision that we need in our lives. We are his children. He wants to revive. We don't need to stress and strife because he has us. See worry? It's an insult to God because literally we are saying, I don't know if I can trust you God. I mean, imagine it with your own kids. Imagine if one day our kids came home and they're like, don't trust you mom and dad to provide anymore.”

26s

#JesusCallsUsOffTheTreadmill

“I want to encourage us today, this is not what Jesus has for us. This is not what God wants us to be on this treadmill of worry that takes us nowhere. See God, he actually promised us something completely different. That was a little bit I need to do a little bit more cardio.”

38s

#ChooseHisPeace

“My prayer today is that we would get off the treadmill, that we wouldn't see this treadmill as our lot in life, but the fact that Jesus promises us a worry free, a peace free life when we choose his way. When when we say, God, I want I don't wanna do it my way. God, I need you in the equation. And, you know, we have to be careful today because there is such almost anxiety, fear, worry. It's almost normal today. It's the common language.”

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Worry: The Treadmill That Gets Us Nowhere • Ps Nadia Clark

Devotional

Day 1: Birds and Flowers, Not Strangled by Tomorrow’s Thorns

Day 2: Trading the Treadmill for Treasure in Heaven

Day 3: Imagination’s Crossroads: Building Fear or Faith

Day 4: The Sacred Tension: I Can Work, God Can Provide

Day 5: From Anxious Rage to Gospel-Fueled Courage

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Worry: The Treadmill That Gets Us Nowhere • Ps Nadia Clark

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