Q:

I know the Bible says we shouldn’t worry, but isn’t that a bit unrealistic? I could name a dozen things I worry about every day, and they aren’t going to go away just because I hope they will, or because I pray they will.

A:

You’re right, up to a point; we’re all prone to worry, and simply telling ourselves that we shouldn’t worry about a problem we’re facing won’t make it go away. It may even make things worse by keeping us from doing something about it.

But the Bible gives us a specific cure for worry — and that is to trust God and turn our worries and anxieties over to Him. Think of it this way. Imagine for a moment that a worry is a heavy burden you’re carrying on your back (like a backpack filled with rocks). Wishing it will go away won’t solve the problem, nor will simply hoping the burden will grow lighter. But suppose you meet someone who’s obviously stronger than you, and he offers to take the burden off your back and carry it for you. What would you do? It would be foolish for you to keep carrying it; instead, you’d gladly hand it over to him.

And that’s what God wants us to do with our burdens — hand them over to Him in faith and trust. He knows all about us; He knows our problems, and He knows all about the things that concern us. Furthermore, He loves us, and He wants to help us. The Bible says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

When worries come — and they will — learn to hand them over to Jesus Christ. He can be trusted to guide you, and He will give you His peace.

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