A Better Way Than Worry
- First Pres Bakerstown
- Dec 31, 2025
- 4 min read
We’ve all experienced the heavy, suffocating weight of worry. It’s that uninvited companion that keeps us up at night, replaying every "what-if" scenario until we feel completely paralyzed. It often feels like a protective measure—as if by obsessing over our problems, we can somehow control them.
But there is a much better way to live. When Jesus tells us "do not worry," He isn’t offering a cold command to just "tough it out." He is giving us a loving invitation to trade our heavy burdens for a sturdy, eternal foundation.
The Masterpiece That Cannot Last
Worry is often the sound our soul makes when we try to find security in things that were never meant to be permanent. Jesus warns us not to store up treasures where "moth and rust destroy." We usually think of this in terms of obviously fragile things—the gadgets that break or the trends that fade. But the truth is, anxiety can attach itself even to the things we believe are truly solid, beautiful, and lasting.
Consider the possession of a century-old hardwood toolbox. It isn’t just a utility chest; it’s a masterpiece. With drawers of various sizes and the fine detail of a master furniture maker, it carries a weight, a history, and a craft that a modern smartphone never will. Yet, even something this magnificent is ultimately temporary. While it has great value today, there is no guarantee that future generations will feel that same sentimental attachment. They might look at it and see only an old box, completely failing to recognize the artistry and the immense care that went into its creation.
This is the central challenge for our hearts: If we anchor our peace in things that time can eventually erode or that others may fail to value—even "good" things with history and fine craftsmanship—we will always be prone to anxiety. We simply cannot find our ultimate security in the vessels of this world, no matter how well-built they are or how much heart was poured into making them.
The Logic of a Loving Father
To break the cycle of anxiety, we have to look at the world with fresh eyes. Consider the birds of the air and the wildflowers in the field. The birds don't have safety nets or storehouses, yet they are fed. The lilies don't toil or spin, yet they are clothed in a beauty that outshines royalty.
The logic is simple but profound: "Are you not worth much more than they?" You are not just a random inhabitant of this earth; you are a child of the King, made in His image. If God provides for the grass that is here today and gone tomorrow, how much more will He care for you? Worrying doesn’t add a single hour to your life; it only robs today of its strength and distracts you from your true purpose.
The Pivot: What Seeking the Kingdom Actually Looks Like
The "cure" for worry isn't just about being calmer; it’s about a shift in focus. Jesus gives us a life-changing strategy: "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness." Seeking the Kingdom isn't a vague spiritual idea; it’s a practical, daily displacement of worry with holy action. When we lean into the King’s business, we find that there is simply less room for anxiety to take root. In our daily lives, this looks like:
Following Jesus: Choosing to love Him as Savior and bow to Him as Lord in every decision.
Praying for the Kingdom: Shifting our prayers from a "shopping list" of our own wants to a sincere desire for His will to be done on earth.
Evangelizing: Introducing others to the King because the hope we’ve found is too good to keep to ourselves.
Glorifying God Everywhere: Living so that God is known and honored through our smallest daily patterns and conversations.
Submitting in Obedience: Willingly letting God reign over our choices, even when it feels difficult or counter-cultural.
Honoring God at Work: Doing our jobs with integrity and for His pleasure, rather than just for a paycheck or a promotion.
Seeking Justice: Caring for the poor and being a voice for the voiceless, reflecting God’s heart for the broken.
Pursuing Righteousness: Living with the same integrity in private as we do in public.
Finding True Contentment
When we prioritize the Kingdom, we discover the secret of contentment. Like the Apostle Paul, who found peace whether he was in a prison cell or a palace, we realize that our strength doesn't come from our circumstances—it comes from Christ.
Worry is almost always about tomorrow. But God doesn't give us "tomorrow grace" today; He gives us exactly what we need for right now. When we seek His Kingdom first, we find that the things we used to fret over begin to look small in the light of eternity. Our Father knows our needs, values our lives, and is already standing in our tomorrow.
A Step for Your Week: Identify the one worry that has been the loudest in your mind. Instead of trying to "solve" it on your own, try choosing one action from the list above. Whether it’s a prayer for His will or a small act of service, watch how seeking His Kingdom changes your perspective and brings you peace.
This blog was based on a sermon preached by The Rev. Jeremy Collins titled "A Better Way Than Worry" at the First Presbyterian Church of Bakerstown. You can watch the full message here:
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