How to Stop the Worry Habit

by Rick Warren — December 30, 2022
From Living in the Goodness of God

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?”

Matthew 6:25 (NIV)

God is the source of everything you need to live. He is the Good Shepherd who feeds you, leads you, and meets your needs. You don’t have to look anywhere else. You don’t have to look to Wall Street. You don’t have to look to the government. You don’t have to look to your spouse, your retirement account, or your job.

If you’re going to put your security in something, you need to put it in something that can never be taken from you. You can lose your health. You can lose your job. You can lose your good looks. You can lose your family. You can lose your life. You can lose your mind. You can even lose your way.

But God is never lost. And there is nothing you need that God can’t supply. Philippians 4:19 says, “God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (ESV).

So why do people worry so much? Worry may be the most common sin on the planet. It is the direct result of forgetting that God is good all the time. When you forget God’s goodness, you panic instead of pray; you worry instead of worship.

The Bible says, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” (Matthew 6:25 NIV).

Clearly, God doesn’t want you to worry about anything. Yet it’s hard to stop the worry habit. It’s part of human nature!

So how do you stop worrying? First, recognize that worry keeps you from the goodness of God. Next, decide that you don’t want worry to get the best of you. Then, take your concerns to God in prayer instead of worrying about them.

Remember: The best way to stop worrying is to start praying.

Talk It Over

  • How has worry affected you physically? What about emotionally? Spiritually?
  • Why does worship help you not worry?
  • Spend some time right now praying for the things you are worrying about and surrendering them to God’s care. Then reflect on the change you experienced in your heart as you prayed.

Are you certain of where you will go when you die?

Many people worry about death because they don’t know where they’ll go when they die. But Jesus came to save you from that fear of death.

The Bible says that every person sins and that the penalty of sin is death. But God loves you so much that he sent his Son, Jesus, to pay the penalty for your sins, to bring you into the family of God, and to save you from the fear of death.

If you’re ready to join God’s family, here’s a prayer you can start with: “Dear God, I know that when I die, I’m going to give an account of my life to you directly. I confess I have sinned against you, and I have lived by my plan, not yours. I want that to change, starting right now. I want to turn away from my sins and toward you.

“Thank you for sending Jesus to die for all I’ve done wrong so that I don’t have to pay the penalty. I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness. I know only your grace can save me.

“Jesus, thank you for loving me so much that you took all my guilt on yourself and made me acceptable for heaven. I ask you to save me from my sins and from my fear of death. I believe in you and trust that you will keep your promise to save me instantly, certainly, completely, and eternally. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at [email protected] and let me know about it. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.


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