Bible Answers

What Does the Bible Say About Worry?

Jesus devotes a large part of the Sermon on the Mount to worry (Matthew 6:25-34), arguing from the lesser to the greater: if God feeds the birds and clothes the grass, He will certainly provide for His children. Worry, Jesus notes, adds nothing — it cannot extend life by a single hour — and it functionally doubts God's fatherly care. His prescription is to "seek first God's Kingdom," trusting that daily needs will follow.

This is not a call to passivity or poor planning; Proverbs praises diligence and foresight. Rather, it distinguishes godly responsibility from faithless anxiety. The believer works and plans, then entrusts the outcome to God one day at a time, refusing to borrow tomorrow's troubles today.

Key Bible Verses

Therefore don't be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day's own evil is sufficient.

Matthew 6:34 (WEB)

Therefore don't be anxious, saying, 'What will we eat?', 'What will we drink?' or, 'With what will we be clothed?' ... But seek first God's Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:31-33 (WEB)

casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7 (WEB)

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible (public domain).

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Jesus say about worrying?
In Matthew 6:25-34 Jesus tells His followers not to worry about food, drink, or clothing, pointing to God's care for the birds and flowers. He says worry adds nothing to life and urges seeking God's Kingdom first, trusting God to provide daily needs.