The World’s Most Overlooked Mental Health Problem

Do Not Worry—Seek Him First

Scripture References

Primary text

• Matthew 6:25
• Matthew 6:26
• Matthew 6:33

Other references

• Matthew 6:24

Overview

Worry is so common that it feels normal, yet Jesus calls us out of its grip. From Matthew 6 He lists the very areas we obsess over—finances, food, fitness, fashion, and the future—and commands, “Do not worry.” Craig Groeschel contrasts worry with God-honoring concern, shows why our sin nature drifts toward fear, and repeats Jesus’ antidote: put God first. What we fear most exposes where we trust God least; today is an invitation to hand those burdens to Him.

Context

• Series: Mental health.
• Previous message covered anxiety; today distinguishes worry from anxiety.
• Statistics: 60 % of U.S. adults battle daily worry (Barna); America is the most worry-filled nation (WHO).

Main Points

1. Worry vs. Anxiety

• Worry is mainly mental; anxiety is felt in the body.
• Worry is usually specific (“missing my flight”); anxiety is holistic (“travel makes me tense”).

2. Five Common Targets of Worry (Matthew 6)

• Finances, food, fitness (health), fashion (image), future.
• Jesus addresses each and says not to obsess over what is temporary.

3. Jesus’ Repeated Command: “Do Not Worry”

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry.”

• The “therefore” in v. 25 links back to v. 24: you cannot serve both God and money.
• Worry often signals divided loyalty.

4. The Bird Lesson (Matthew 6:26)

• Illustration: Birds don’t plant or store grain, yet the Father feeds them. No bird paces its nest at 2 a.m. fearing a worm shortage.

• If God provides for birds, He will provide for people He values far more.

5. Concern Moves to Action; Worry Freezes in Inaction

• Concern spots a challenge (“our marriage is stuck”) and triggers steps (counseling, group).
• Worry stews over uncontrollables and adds nothing to life (v. 26–27).

6. Two Revealing Statements

“What you worry about the most reveals where you trust God the least.”
“Seek Him first.”

• Evaluate the dominant worry; it highlights an area not surrendered to God.
• Make God first in day, finances, relationships, thought life.

7. Three Possible Outcomes for Today’s Worry

1. It never happens. (Study: 91 % of recorded worries did not occur—Penn State.)
2. It happens, but is far less severe than imagined.
3. It happens, and God carries you through with unexpected grace.

8. Sherry’s Story of Loss and Hope

• Story: After losing a 13-year-old son and later her husband to suicide, Sherry testifies “Jesus is enough” and now leads a trauma-recovery life group.

• Deep pain can become a platform for ministry when Jesus is first.

9. Practical Transfer of Burdens

• Cast every anxiety on Him because He cares.
• Pray about everything; His peace guards hearts and minds.
• Replace nighttime rumination with seeking God’s presence and promises.

Key Truths

• Worry is stewing without doing; concern is action-oriented.
• Divided devotion (God and money, image, control) breeds chronic worry.
• God values people infinitely more than birds He already sustains.
• Most worries never materialize, but all worry robs peace.
• Seeking God’s kingdom first realigns priorities and restores trust.

Response

• Identify your dominant worry and name it to God.
• Replace mental loops with prayer and Scripture each time the worry resurfaces.
• Take one concrete, responsible action where concern is warranted.
• Begin each morning acknowledging God’s reign before scanning tasks or news.
• Practice generosity, service, or confession in the very area you’ve withheld from Him.

Closing

Craig closed by inviting the congregation to trade their burdens for God’s peace and to put Jesus unequivocally first. Many responded, committing worries, relationships, and futures into His hands, and some surrendered their lives to Christ for the first time.

“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Prayer

Craig prayed that God’s peace, “beyond our human ability to understand,” would guard every heart and mind as believers cast their cares on Him, and thanked Jesus for forgiving sins and granting new life to those who chose to follow Him today.