What Is Worry?

Each one of us knows what it is to worry but few of us know how to stop it. Why? Because we never actually see worry as it truly is – a thought. Not only is worry a thought, it is also diametrically opposed to faith. Worry and faith cannot occupy the same place at the same time. Let’s find out more about how thoughts affect our faith by focusing on each one at a time. Do our thoughts really play an important role and where do they come from?

Matthew 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (KJV)

Thoughts are bold, strong, and persistence things that can be like armed men forcing themselves into the mind. They come enticingly, insinuatingly, threateningly; they come a thousand different ways. Thoughts may come interrupting our sleep with concerns of past, present, or even future trouble. But don’t be despaired. There is hope.

Proverbs 16:3 Commit your works to the LORD, and your thoughts will be established. (NKJ) (established = faithful)

Worry is a thief that comes to steal your peace and your trust in God.

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. (NKJ)

If we really believe God is telling us the truth, that His Word cannot lie, and we really believe He is capable of doing what He said, then we will have no worries, concerns, or fears.

When we do have worries, concerns, or fears, it is a trust issue that began with a thought. (What if… How can… Why? When?)

Matthew 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying…

The things we worry about come out in the way we talk.

Job 22:28 You will also declare a thing, and it will be established for you; So light will shine on your ways. (NKJ)

This can work for you or against you. Remember the Parable of the Soil (Sower)? Words are seeds. You harvest what you plant. The “soil” (your heart) doesn’t make a distinction between good seed or bad seed; God’s Word or doubtful words; faith or fear, it simply produces the crop planted. 

Galatians 6:7-8 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. (NKJ)

This word “mocked” means to turn up the nose, turning away to sneer; (figuratively) mock, to make mouths at, scornfully disdain (contemptuously reject).

Words are important but just quoting Scripture is not enough to get rid of worry. You must say it until you believe it over everything else.

Matthew 15:8 ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. (NKJ)

Is Worrying a Sin?

When you worry, are you in faith? Well, the answer is NO! You cannot be in worry and faith at the same time.

Romans 14:23 … for whatever is not from faith is sin. (NKJ)

Worry—being a type of fear—is the opposite of faith. In English, we have words that have opposite meanings. If I were to ask you the opposite ofhot, you would immediately say cold. The opposite of up is down. The opposite of east is west.

They are not only opposed to each other; they cannot exist together at the same time. If I asked you to face east, you could not face west at the same time. It is impossible. They are opposites.

The same is true spiritually. In the Hebrew language, the opposite of worry is faith. Remember, worry is a type of fear, and fear and faith cannot operate together. When you are in faith, you are not in worry. And when you are in worry, you are not in faith. Worry destroys faith.

According to the Bible: We are saved through faith (Ephesians 2:8). The prayer of faith will heal the sick (James 5:15). Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). If we ask without faith, we receive nothing (James 1:6-7). Anything not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23).

Worry is a tool of Satan. He knows that if he can get you to worry, you will not be in faith. When you are not in faith, you will be ineffective as a Christian. We can and must control our thoughts! How? By replacing them with what the Bible says to think.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (KJV)

So, today, no matter how bad things look, don’t give it a second thought. Choose faith instead of worry. If we really believe God, then there is nothing to worry about anyway, right?

Remember, as Christians, we walk by faith and not by what we see (2 Corinthians 5:7). So, when things look bad, look through the eyes of faith, and worry will flee.