I recently received some news that shook me to my core. It wasn’t just disappointing—it was the kind of news that makes your heart drop and your thoughts race. One moment, I felt steady, and the next, I was struggling to catch my breath, unsure of what the future might hold. I tried to stay calm, tried to pray, tried to sleep, tried to hand it over to God—but the longer I sat with it, the more I spiraled into a tailspin of worry.
That’s when a truth I’ve spoken to others over the years came roaring back to convict me: To worry is to worship the problem.
Those words hit differently when you’re the one in the storm. When the waves are high and your footing feels uncertain, worry can feel like a natural response. But it’s not harmless—it’s a trap. Worry is actually a form of misplaced worship. It magnifies the problem and minimizes the God who is greater than it all.
Interestingly, the word worry comes from the Old English word wyrgan, which means “to choke” or “to strangle.” Isn’t that exactly what it does? Worry chokes out our peace, strangles our joy, and squeezes the breath of hope right out of us. It’s like an invisible grip around our soul that tightens with every “what if” and “how will I…”
But Jesus put it plainly in Matthew 6:27: “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” The answer is no. Worry doesn’t solve problems; it simply multiplies fear. It doesn’t protect our future; it poisons our present. And when we give in to it, we begin to worship our circumstances instead of our Savior.
Learning to Cast, Not Carry
1 Peter 5:7 urges us to “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” Notice that word cast. That’s not a soft suggestion to gently place your burdens—it’s a bold command to throw them off with intention and trust. God doesn’t ask us to manage our anxiety; He invites us to release it.
You and I were never meant to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. We weren’t built for it. We were built to depend on God. When we try to carry what only He can handle, we crumble under the pressure. But when we cast our cares, something powerful happens: peace enters, and anxiety flees.
Philippians 4:6-7 promises that when we pray and give thanks, the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds. That’s not just poetic—it’s practical. I’ve experienced it firsthand. It’s real, and it’s available to anyone who dares to trust Him.
When God Is First, Everything Else Finds Its Place
There’s a deep sense of confidence that comes from keeping God first. When He sits on the throne of our lives—above our schedules, our plans, our careers, our fears—we begin to trust that He’s in control even when we are not. He opens doors that need to open, and He closes the ones we were never meant to walk through.
Sometimes, the very thing we’re clinging to is the door God is gently trying to close. And, like security doors in a building, one must shut completely before the next can open. That’s not punishment—it’s protection. God knows what’s on the other side, and He’s guiding us forward, one door at a time. Maybe like me, your chapter is coming to an end, not because you’ve failed, but because you’ve fulfilled it. And now, God is preparing something even better. The hallway between doors can feel like a lonely, uncertain place—but it’s in that in-between space where God does some of His deepest work. Trust that He’s not just closing a door—He’s setting the stage for a greater chapter to unfold.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” That means we don’t need all the answers. We just need to know the One who guides the way.
Sometimes we chase clarity when what we really need is trust. I may not know what tomorrow will bring—but I know Who brings the day. That alone is enough to anchor my soul.
Invite Him Into Everything
God doesn’t just want access when things fall apart—He wants to walk with us in the daily decisions, too. Whether it’s something massive like a medical diagnosis or something as simple as a scheduling choice, He delights in being involved.
Psalm 55:22 says, “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.” That’s a promise you can count on. We don’t have to ride the highs and lows of life unanchored. We don’t have to choke on worry or fear. We can cast, trust, and breathe deeply again.
So, if today you find yourself in a tailspin, caught between faith and fear, remember this: You can worship or you can worry—but you can’t do both. Turn your eyes to the One who holds your future, not the problem that threatens your peace. Breathe. Release. Worship.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You that You care deeply about everything I’m facing. You see what I’m walking through, and You’re not distant or detached—you are near. Forgive me for allowing worry to rule in my heart. I choose today to cast my burdens onto You. I don’t want to worship my problems; I want to worship You. Thank You for guarding my heart with peace, guiding my steps with wisdom, and holding tomorrow in Your hands. I may not know what’s ahead, but I trust You with the outcome. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Life-Giving Words of Hope & Encouragement 
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