What Jesus Said about Worry

The great theologian Charlie Brown made this statement about worry: “I’ve developed a new philosophy. . .  I only dread one day at a time.”

Now let me quote an actual theologian, the late Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, who said, “If I allow my concern about the future to cripple me in the present, I am guilty of worry.”

There are so many things happening in our world today that could cause us to worry. Fears about the spread of the coronavirus may keep us up at night. In some ways, I think the viral fear about it may be worse than the virus itself.

Then we have our personal problems too. There are problems with work . . . problems with our families . . . problems with our health.

How can we overcome fear and worry? The Bible has something to say about this. Jesus himself addressed it in the Sermon on the Mount:

Therefore do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you (Matthew 6:31–33 NKJV).

Believers should not worry. Jesus is not saying that Christians shouldn’t be concerned about the necessities of life. He is not saying that we shouldn’t think about them or plan for the future. The Bible encourages us to work hard, to save our money, and so forth, but what Jesus is saying is that we shouldn’t worry about these things.

Worry doesn’t make your life longer; it just makes it more miserable.