If there’s one thing I’ve learned in ministry, it’s that worry is a persistent and unwelcome visitor. It sneaks into late-night thoughts, lingers in the corners of important decisions, and sometimes shouts over the voice of faith. As pastors, we see it in our congregations—parents worried about their children, leaders concerned about the future of the church, and individuals weighed down by uncertainties that seem too big to bear. And if we’re honest, we struggle with it ourselves.
The Bible is clear that worry adds nothing to our lives. Matthew 6:27 asks, “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” Yet, knowing this truth and living it are two different things. How do we practically manage worry when it feels so ingrained in our thoughts?
The Three Paths of Worry
I recently came across a framework that offers three responses to worry, and I found it deeply relevant for those of us in ministry. When faced with worry, we have three choices:
1. Keep Worrying About It
Many of us fall into this trap—we dwell on our fears, replay worst-case scenarios, and let anxiety dictate our decisions. But worry is a thief. It steals our peace, drains our energy, and distracts us from God’s calling.
I think of the times I’ve worried about sermon effectiveness, church finances, or whether I was leading well enough. The more I fixated on these concerns, the more powerless I felt. Worry deceives us into believing we are solving something when, in reality, we are just exhausting ourselves.
2. Accept It
Acceptance doesn’t mean we give up. Instead, it means recognizing what is within our control and what isn’t. As a pastor, I’ve had to accept that I cannot control people’s spiritual growth—I can preach, counsel, and pray, but ultimately, transformation is God’s work.
Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us that instead of being anxious, we are invited to bring everything to God in prayer. This posture of surrender leads to peace that surpasses understanding. When I began shifting from control to trust, I noticed a change—not in my circumstances, but in my heart.
3. Learn Through It
Worry can be a teacher if we allow it. Instead of letting fear dictate our response, we can ask, What is this worry revealing about my heart? Is this an opportunity for growth, for deepening my faith, or for adjusting my priorities?
James 1:2-4 encourages us to consider trials—including worry—as opportunities for perseverance. This reframing has helped me see that rather than being a weight that holds me back, worry can be a tool that refines my faith.
A Practical Tool for Managing Worry
I love practical solutions, and this structured approach to worry has been a game-changer. By categorizing concerns into a chart, we can gain clarity on what we can control and take action where needed:
Deeper Understanding of the Chart Columns
- Things I Worry About: This column is meant for listing concerns as specifically as possible. Identifying worries clearly allows us to address them more effectively rather than allowing vague fears to linger in the background.
- Level of Control: Not all worries are within our control. This column helps assess whether the concern is something we can change (like our personal health) or something beyond our influence (like economic downturns). Recognizing our level of control helps shift our focus from futile anxiety to practical action or faith-based surrender.
- Worry Frequency: Assigning a number (from 1-5) to each worry helps track how often it disrupts our peace. If something is constantly on our minds, it may indicate that we need to take intentional steps to address it. Conversely, worries with low frequency may not require as much immediate attention.
- Effective Strategies: Here, we list practical ways to manage the worry, whether through prayer, seeking guidance, making a plan, or taking a tangible step forward. This keeps us from being passive and helps shift us toward proactive faith.
- Support Network: Worry often isolates us, but we are not meant to bear our burdens alone. Listing people who can provide guidance, accountability, or encouragement reinforces the importance of community.
- Next Steps: “I Will…”: This is where worry management becomes actionable. Instead of merely thinking about our concerns, we commit to a specific step. Even small actions can create momentum and relieve anxiety.
How to Use and Maintain This Chart
This isn’t a one-time exercise; it’s a tool for ongoing reflection. Here’s how to use it effectively:
- Regularly Update It: Set aside time weekly or monthly to review your worries and update the chart. Some worries will resolve, while new ones may emerge.
- Identify Patterns: Over time, you’ll begin to see which worries are recurring. If the same concern appears repeatedly, it may indicate a deeper issue that needs more focused attention or spiritual surrender.
- Celebrate Progress: As you revisit old worries, take note of how you’ve grown in faith and resilience. Some issues that once seemed overwhelming may now feel more manageable.
- Pray Through It: Use this chart as a prayer guide. Bring each worry to God, acknowledging your level of control and asking for wisdom on the next steps.
- Share It with a Mentor or Accountability Partner: If you feel comfortable, discussing your chart with a trusted friend or mentor can provide encouragement, wisdom, and accountability.
The Bigger Picture: Trusting God
The longer I’ve pastored, the more I’ve realized that worry is a form of misplaced trust. When I worry, I am often relying on my own strength rather than on God’s sovereignty. But looking back, I see His faithfulness over and over again. The situations I feared the most? He worked them out. The concerns I lost sleep over? He carried me through them. The worries that consumed my thoughts? They never had the power I gave them.
My encouragement to fellow ministry leaders is this: worry may be part of our human condition, but it doesn’t have to rule us. By learning to manage it wisely—through prayer, practical action, and trust in God—we can lead with greater peace, faith, and clarity.
So the next time worry knocks on your door, ask yourself: Will I let it drain me? Will I accept what I can’t change? Or will I learn through it and trust that God is still in control?
My prayer is that we choose the latter.
Recommended Resources
For further reading on overcoming worry:
- “How to Overcome Worry” by Winfred Neely
- “Anxious for Nothing” by John MacArthur
- “Putting an X Through Anxiety” by Louie Giglio
Let’s walk forward in faith, knowing that our burdens are never too big for the One who holds the universe together.
