Jesus’ Practical Solutions on How to Throw Worry Under The Bus

What if the things you’re stressing about aren’t actually your job to carry?

“Worry is like a rocking chair: it gives you something to do but never gets you anywhere.” — Erma Bombeck

Worry never actually fixes anything, but we keep doing it like it’s our job, don’t we? Jesus talked about this and shared several practical solutions. They’re not deep theology. Just real, day-to-day stuff.

They set a new head and heart posture. Instead of simply reading the list, intentionally and consistently take at least one a day, and focus on it. Where the focus goes, the energy flows.

1. What can a bird teach you about trust? (Matthew 6:26)

First thing He says is, look at the birds. Just… go outside and watch ‘em.

They’re not stressing out about where their next meal’s coming from. They don’t have calendars or emergency savings, and somehow, they’re good. God takes care of them.

And He points out, “Aren’t you worth more than they are?”

That’s the point. If God takes care of them — and they’re just birds — don’t you think He’s going to take care of you? You’re not forgotten. You’re not just out here on your own. He sees you.

2. What has worry ever actually done for you? (Matthew 6:27) Jesus asks, “Can any of you add even an hour to your life by worrying?” Nope. Not one bit.

If anything, it probably shortens it. I mean, we know that, but we still do it. We lie in bed and stress about stuff we can’t control. It’s a waste of time, but man, it’s hard to stop.

3. Do flowers freak out about their future? (Matthew 6:28–29) Then He draws our attention to flowers. Lilies. Says they don’t work or make clothes or anything, and they still end up looking amazing. Way better dressed than a king.

So if God puts that kind of effort into wildflowers that are here one day and gone the next, don’t you think He’s going to take care of you?

This isn’t about being lazy — it’s about not trying to muscle your way through life like it’s all on you. God’s got it covered.

4. If God cares for grass, don’t you think He’s got you too? (Matthew 6:30) Even the grass gets clothed, and it doesn’t even last that long. Burned up, walked on — doesn’t matter, still gets taken care of. So yeah, God’s not going to overlook you.

The hard part is actually letting go of that mindset where you think, “If I don’t do it, it won’t happen.” That’s a heavy load to carry all the time. Jesus is saying, “You can put that down now.”

Instead of being responsible, He helps us become able to respond.

5. Are you chasing or trusting? (Matthew 6:31–32a) He says stop chasing after all this stuff — what you’ll eat, drink, wear. That’s how people live when they don’t know they’ve got a Father. But we do.

That changes the whole thing.

It doesn’t mean quit your job or ignore your bills. It just means you don’t have to run around like your life depends on you micromanaging every little thing.

It’s about motive. Are you chasing because you’re scared? Or working because you’re trusting?

6. What if God already knows what you need? (Matthew 6:32b) Jesus says the Father knows what we need. He’s not guessing. He’s not waiting for us to say the magic words.

We don’t have to perform. We don’t have to prove anything. He already sees the bills, the fears, the unknowns. And He’s not checking out — He’s involved. That matters.

7. What happens when you put God’s way first? (Matthew 6:33) “Seek first the Kingdom.” That’s what Jesus says.Not in a “be more religious” kind of way. It’s more like, “Make God’s priorities your priorities.”

Start with His ways (Aka: Love for Him, your neighbor, and yourself. Examine what Jesus cared about and care about that. Start with what’s right. When you focus on that, a lot of the other stuff that stresses you out starts to loosen its grip. Maybe it doesn’t vanish, but it doesn’t control you anymore.

8. Can you stay in today instead of living in tomorrow? (Matthew 6:34) Last thing — Jesus says don’t worry about tomorrow. Just deal with today. Which sounds simple, but let’s be real, it’s not.

Our brains love jumping into the future. Worst-case scenarios, what-ifs, all of it. But He says, “Come back to now. You’ve got enough to deal with today.”

“This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”— Psalm 118:24

Some extra stuff to think about…

What if your need to control everything is just fear in disguise? Worry feels like you’re doing something, but really, you’re just wearing yourself out. Jesus is trying to get us off that hamster wheel.

And maybe that’s why He keeps pointing to nature — birds, flowers, grass. It’s like He’s saying, “Take a walk. Look around. Let it remind you that you’re not the one keeping the world spinning.”

Also, He’s not harsh here. He doesn’t say, “You weaklings.” He says, “You of little faith,” but you can almost hear the kindness in it. Like, “Hey… I get it. But you can trust Me.” That kind of tone.

Last thing: Just because you deal with worry doesn’t mean that’s who you are. It’s something you experience, not your identity.

You’re not, by God’s DNA “an anxious person.” You’re a person loved by God who sometimes worries. Big difference.

Bottom Line

In Matthew 6, Jesus offers eight down-to-earth ways to deal with worry. He points to birds, flowers, and grass — none of them stress, yet God takes care of them.

His message? You’re even more valuable, so stop living like it’s all on you. Worry doesn’t help, and chasing after needs out of fear just drains you.

Instead, trust God, focus on what matters (His kingdom), and stay present. Today is enough.

You’re seen, known, and not alone.

© Gary L Ellis