Worry vs. Concern

If you’re a follower of Jesus, you need to be growing in spiritual wisdom.  And if you’re advancing in wisdom, you’ll want to know the difference between legitimate concern and sinful worry.

Our studies in 1 Peter bring us to one of many Bible passages teaching believers not to worry:  “Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (5:7).  Of course, Peter echoes Jesus:  “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on” (Matthew 6:25).  Paul picks up on the same teaching:  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).  Faith and worry don’t mix; they’re like oil and water.  “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

But it’s also true, based on Scripture, that Christians should be deeply concerned about many things.  We’re taught to love one another (1 Peter 4:8) and to love our neighbor (Matthew 22:39).  We’re called rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15).  The command to “be holy as I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16) requires us to scrutinize our conduct.  Speak­ing the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) calls for rigorous concern (love without truth is sentimental; truth without love is severe).  A faithful steward (1 Peter 4:10) is concerned to please the Master.

So, what’s the difference between concern and worry?  Concern is alert and responsible to do what God calls us to do.  But concern acts in faith, trusting God to help us do what we can and should do, and releasing all else to his sovereign care.  Concern is content with human limitations.  Worry, by contrast, is a way of playing God.  You see, worry blocks prayer (Philippians 4:6), reveals pride (1 Peter 4:6-7), and demonstrates a failure to trust God with whatever you’re facing.  It all boils down to faith:  are you casting your cares on the Lord, or clutching at control for yourself?