Worry
Chris Frye
Part of Peace of Mind
October 15, 2023

Main Idea

Worry is one of the most commonly overlooked mental health struggles in our society today. It causes us to focus on what’s outside of our control and usually results in us doing nothing about it. We can replace worry with faith when we understand that what we worry about may never happen, but if it does, God will carry us through it.

Outline

Matthew 6:24–34
24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

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.”

5 Things We Tend to Worry About the Most

  • Finances
  • Food
  • Fitness
  • Fashion
  • Future

Concern focuses on challenges and moves you to action.

Worry focuses on what’s beyond our control and results in inaction.

3 Possible Outcomes for Your Worries

  1. It may never happen.

  2. It may happen and won’t be as bad as you thought.

  3. It may happen and God will carry you through it.

Discussion Questions

  1. What is something small that worried you this week?

  2. How do you typically handle or process your worries?

  3. Read Matthew 6:33. How could seeking God’s kingdom impact your thought life and worries?

  4. Talk about the difference between worry and concern. How could you change your worries into concern that moves you to action?

  5. Has there ever been a time when you worried about something that didn’t actually happen or wasn’t as bad as you thought? How can that experience impact how you handle worries in your life now?

Find more mental health resources: https://www.life.church/mentalhealth/