Letting Go of Worry

“And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?” Matthew 6:27

Worry is a weight we often carry without realizing how much it slows us down. We fret over the future, our health, our loved ones, and countless things beyond our control. Yet Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, asks a simple yet profound question: Does worry actually help? Can it change our circumstances or extend our lives? The answer is no. Worry does not solve our problems; instead, it robs us of peace, drains our joy, and shifts our focus away from trusting God.

Jesus points us to creation itself as a reminder of God’s faithful provision: “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?” (Matthew 6:26). If God cares for the birds, how much more will He care for us? Jesus calls us to let go of worry and place our trust in our heavenly Father, who knows our needs before we even voice them. This is not a call to complacency but to faith—a deep assurance that God is sovereign, loving, and faithful.

Good planning and prayer go hand in hand. Proverbs 16:3 reminds us, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” Thoughtful preparation, guided by prayer, can prevent unnecessary anxiety. When we seek God’s wisdom, make responsible decisions, and lift our concerns to Him, we guard our hearts against the grip of worry.

Lent is a season of release, a time to let go of distractions, sins, and burdens. Perhaps one of the hardest things to release is worry. Yet, when we surrender our anxieties to God, we make space in our hearts for His peace to take root.

Letting go of worry is an act of trust. Instead of dwelling on uncertainty, we can choose to pray. Instead of overanalyzing our struggles, we can choose to rest in God’s promises. Instead of being consumed by what-ifs, we can seek His presence, knowing He will provide for all our needs. “God shall Supply all your Needs according to His Glorious Riches in Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 4:19)

Prayer

Lord, I release my worries into Your hands. Teach me to trust that You are in control, that You see my needs, and that You are always faithful to provide. Help me to plan wisely, pray continually, and live each day with faith, remembering that worry changes nothing, but Your love changes everything. Amen.