Worry. We all do it at times but few of us ever take the time to understand that worry is in reality no small sin. Pastor John MacArthur shares why worry is no small sin when he said: “For some reason, we think of doubt and worry as ‘small’ sins. But when a Christian displays unbelief…or an inability to cope with life, he is saying to the world, ‘My God cannot be trusted,’ and that kind of disrespect makes one guilty of a fundamental error, the heinous sin of dishonoring God. That is no small sin.”1
When we worry we basically are, in the words of John MacArthur, dishonoring God. We are telling the Lord that our problems are too big for Him to solve, our trials can’t be overcome, and that God can’t really work “all” things in our lives for good. (Romans 8:28). And when we worry we focus too much on the potential negative consequences that so often don’t materialize and forget about all of the powerful ways that are at our disposal, through Scripture, to stop worry in its tracks.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us why we never need to worry. I urge you to read (Matthew 6:25-34) below and see just how wonderful a provider our heavenly Father is:
“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? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Scripture is full of powerful reasons and ways to help us put an end to worry and its fatal God dishonoring effect.
(Colossians 3:1-2) tells us: “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” When we focus on eternal things we will not worry so much on our problems but will meditate on God’s promises – and they are any!
(Philippians 4:19) says: “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” God has infinite riches at His disposal and he loves to lavish us with just what we need to help us overcome any trial in life.
(1 Peter 5:7) tells us to: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” My friends we were not created to bear the burdens and trials that life brings our way. But thankfully Jesus can easily take them upon Himself and give us victory and peace as we give them over to Him.
(Philippians 4:6-7) boldly states: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Here we see the definitive way not to worry. Paul tells us to never worry, but instead, in every situation, to take our needs to the Lord in prayer, with a thankful and believing heart, and then watch how Jesus will flood our hearts with a special peace.
In closing, not only does worrying dishonor God, but it robs us of the peace and joy that God wants us to experience and walk in at all times. So, the next time you’re tempted to worry realize that God always has your back, His promises never fail, and that victory over negative circumstances and great peace are just a prayer and a thankful heart away!