Worry has a way of quietly filling the mind—about the future, finances, work, relationships, and everything in between. In Matthew 6:33–34, Jesus speaks directly into that pressure, not by dismissing our concerns, but by redirecting our focus. Instead of being consumed by tomorrow, He invites us to seek God first today and trust Him with what’s ahead.

Freedom from worry isn’t about never feeling anxious thoughts—it’s about learning where to place them. Jesus teaches that life is lived one day at a time, with God as our provider and guide. When we shift our focus from what we can’t control to the One who holds everything together, worry begins to lose its grip. Peace grows when trust becomes our daily response.

Highlights
Worry is common—but it doesn’t have to control your life
Jesus doesn’t shame worry; He redirects our focus
Seeking God first reshapes how we handle anxiety about tomorrow
Living one day at a time helps reduce mental overwhelm
Prayer is a practical way to release anxious thoughts to God
Filling your mind with truth helps quiet spiraling thoughts
Peace grows when trust in God becomes your default response

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Full Transcript Below:

The Desire to Be Free from Worry
By Vivian Bricker 

Bible Reading:
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” - Matthew 6:33-34 (NLT)

Worry weighs heavily on most of us. Tight deadlines at work, endless tests in college, and difficult financial situations can cause us to worry. To worry is to be human. Although many of us may feel ashamed for worrying, we must remember that it is a part of life.

We can trust God and still feel worried about certain circumstances. Worry does not equate to a lack of faith in God. Rather, worry is simply what it is: being afraid or doubtful about what will happen. Worry can completely control our lives if we let it; however, we can also stand up to it.

My dad and I are avid walkers, and we often come across many cyclists. What I have noticed about most cyclists is that their biggest concern is speed. Many of them ride with a forward lean, as it helps them become more aerodynamic and enhances their speed.

However, there is one cyclist we occasionally see who is different from the others. Rather than being hunched over and focused on speed, he simply rides his bike, plays music from a loudspeaker, and appears to be free from worry: laid back, relaxed, and genuinely happy to be there.

As he passed us one day, I told my dad, “I wish I could be that relaxed.” I think most of us feel the same way… to be free from worry and to genuinely enjoy the little things in life. While I’m sure this cyclist has worries at times, he also seems to know when to let them go and focus on what brings him joy.

This is something we should aim to do in our own lives. While our worries may not disappear, we can learn to set them apart from other areas of our lives. The first step in easing these worries is to turn to God in prayer and reading the Bible.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Jesus tells us, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today” (Matthew 6:33-34, NLT). 

Rather than endlessly worrying about what is to come, we need to surrender these worries to God (1 Peter 5:7). As the Lord says, we are to focus on the Kingdom of God and live in obedience to Him. This means focusing on the present and faithfully living out God’s teachings found in Scripture.

If we choose the path of worry, it will be difficult to stay focused on God. Worry can cause us to spiral further. Yet it can be eased by talking with God. Tell Him why you are worried. Be honest with Him. He will never downplay your concerns or treat them as unimportant.

It is also helpful to think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8-9). Fixing our minds on these things can help quiet our worries. Instead of dwelling on the concerns of today or tomorrow, reflect on the beauty around you—the trees, a joyful call from a friend, or a warm hug from a loved one.

Pray to God whenever worry rises in your heart. Let’s go to Him together:

Dear God, I want to be free from worry. You know how worry creeps into my mind every day. At times, it feels like it could drown me. Help me to rise above the worry and to reflect upon Your Son’s words. Guide my heart after Your Kingdom and to live for You. Remove my anxious, worried heart and replace it with a steadfast, unwavering heart. Thank You for listening to my prayers, God. In Your Son’s Name, I pray, Amen.

What are your most common worries? How can you apply Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:33-34 to your life?

Further Reading:

Psalm 55:22

Proverbs 12:25

Matthew 11:28-30

Worry has a way of quietly filling the mind&mdash;about the future, finances, work, relationships, and everything in between. In Matthew 6:33&ndash;34, Jesus speaks directly into that pressure, not by dismissing our concerns, but by redirecting our focus. Instead of being consumed by tomorrow, He invites us to seek God first today and trust Him with what&rsquo;s ahead.
Freedom from worry isn&rsquo;t about never feeling anxious thoughts&mdash;it&rsquo;s about learning where to place them. Jesus teaches that life is lived one day at a time, with God as our provider and guide. When we shift our focus from what we can&rsquo;t control to the One who holds everything together, worry begins to lose its grip. Peace grows when trust becomes our daily response.
<hr data-start="736" data-end="739">
Highlights
<ul data-start="757" data-end="1191">
<li data-section-id="i7oior" data-start="757" data-end="817">Worry is common&mdash;but it doesn&rsquo;t have to control your life</li>
<li data-section-id="1dioug4" data-start="818" data-end="871">Jesus doesn&rsquo;t shame worry; He redirects our focus</li>
<li data-section-id="p8inj3" data-start="872" data-end="939">Seeking God first reshapes how we handle anxiety about tomorrow</li>
<li data-section-id="1gcgdii" data-start="940" data-end="998">Living one day at a time helps reduce mental overwhelm</li>
<li data-section-id="74rxdq" data-start="999" data-end="1063">Prayer is a practical way to release anxious thoughts to God</li>
<li data-section-id="ulkjf4" data-start="1064" data-end="1127">Filling your mind with truth helps quiet spiraling thoughts</li>
<li data-section-id="pyvft2" data-start="1128" data-end="1191">Peace grows when trust in God becomes your default response</li>
</ul>
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join&nbsp;Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors&mdash;resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/subscribe/?utm_source=subscribe_page&amp;utm_medium=YDBV&amp;utm_campaign=YDBV_PLUS">Sign Up Today!</a>
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
The Desire to Be Free from Worry By Vivian Bricker&nbsp;
Bible Reading: &ldquo;Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don&rsquo;t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today&rsquo;s trouble is enough for today.&rdquo; - Matthew 6:33-34 (NLT)
Worry weighs heavily on most of us. Tight deadlines at work, endless tests in college, and difficult financial situations can cause us to worry. To worry is to be human. Although many of us may feel ashamed for worrying, we must remember that it is a part of life.
We can trust God and still feel worried about certain circumstances. Worry does not equate to a lack of faith in God. Rather, worry is simply what it is: being afraid or doubtful about what will happen. Worry can completely control our lives if we let it; however, we can also stand up to it.
My dad and I are avid walkers, and we often come across many cyclists. What I have noticed about most cyclists is that their biggest concern is speed. Many of them ride with a forward lean, as it helps them become more aerodynamic and enhances their speed.
However, there is one cyclist we occasionally see who is different from the others. Rather than being hunched over and focused on speed, he simply rides his bike, plays music from a loudspeaker, and appears to be free from worry: laid back, relaxed, and genuinely happy to be there.
As he passed us one day, I told my dad, &ldquo;I wish I could be that relaxed.&rdquo; I think most of us feel the same way&hellip; to be free from worry and to genuinely enjoy the little things in life. While I&rsquo;m sure this cyclist has worries at times, he also seems to know when to let them go and focus on what brings him joy.
This is something we should aim to do in our own lives. While our worries may not disappear, we can learn to set them apart from other areas of our lives. The first step in easing these worries is to turn to God in prayer and reading the Bible.
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
Jesus tells us, &ldquo;Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don&rsquo;t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today&rsquo;s trouble is enough for today&rdquo; (Matthew 6:33-34, NLT).&nbsp;
Rather than endlessly worrying about what is to come, we need to surrender these worries to God (1 Peter 5:7). As the Lord says, we are to focus on the Kingdom of God and live in obedience to Him. This means focusing on the present and faithfully living out God&rsquo;s teachings found in Scripture.
If we choose the path of worry, it will be difficult to stay focused on God. Worry can cause us to spiral further. Yet it can be eased by talking with God. Tell Him why you are worried. Be honest with Him. He will never downplay your concerns or treat them as unimportant.
It is also helpful to think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8-9). Fixing our minds on these things can help quiet our worries. Instead of dwelling on the concerns of today or tomorrow, reflect on the beauty around you&mdash;the trees, a joyful call from a friend, or a warm hug from a loved one.
Pray to God whenever worry rises in your heart. Let&rsquo;s go to Him together:
Dear God, I want to be free from worry. You know how worry creeps into my mind every day. At times, it feels like it could drown me. Help me to rise above the worry and to reflect upon Your Son&rsquo;s words. Guide my heart after Your Kingdom and to live for You. Remove my anxious, worried heart and replace it with a steadfast, unwavering heart. Thank You for listening to my prayers, God. In Your Son&rsquo;s Name, I pray, Amen.
What are your most common worries? How can you apply Jesus&rsquo; words in Matthew 6:33-34 to your life?
Further Reading:
Psalm 55:22
Proverbs 12:25
Matthew 11:28-30

Are you a Christian looking for a daily devotional podcast to encourage, inspire, and convict you in your walk with Christ? 7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Daily Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life. Let's study the Bible together and through the experiences of other believers, learn how to apply the Word of God to our lives.

Here’s just some of what we cover in The Crosswalk Daily Devotional Podcast:

☕️ Why the Tongue Can't Be Tamed (And What to Do about It)
☕️ The Quickest Way to an Attitude Adjustment
☕️ Your Birthday: The Most and Least Important Day of Your Life
☕️ Noticing God's Blessings in the Hardest Moments of Life
☕️ One of the Sneakiest Lies Satan Is Telling the Church
☕️ How to Push Through the Weariness of Prayer
☕️ 3 Steps to Take When Facing Temptation
☕️ What to Remember during a Stressful Election Year

If you love what you're listening to on the podcast, be sure to check out our companion devotional at https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/.

Are you a Christian looking for a daily devotional podcast to encourage, inspire, and convict you in your walk with Christ? 7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Daily Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life. Let's study the Bible together and through the experiences of other believers, learn how to apply the Word of God to our lives.
Here’s just some of what we cover in The Crosswalk Daily Devotional Podcast:
☕️ Why the Tongue Can't Be Tamed (And What to Do about It) ☕️ The Quickest Way to an Attitude Adjustment ☕️ Your Birthday: The Most and Least Important Day of Your Life ☕️ Noticing God's Blessings in the Hardest Moments of Life ☕️ One of the Sneakiest Lies Satan Is Telling the Church ☕️ How to Push Through the Weariness of Prayer ☕️ 3 Steps to Take When Facing Temptation ☕️ What to Remember during a Stressful Election Year
If you love what you're listening to on the podcast, be sure to check out our companion devotional at <a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/">https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/.</a>

7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life.

The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

The Crosswalk Devotional

The Desire to Be Free from Worry

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/384f7c14-f84e-43cc-8915-b42f012466b6/transcript