Introduction
We who call ourselves Christians often claim freedom from worry, yet our lives quietly testify otherwise. We know the words of our Lord in Gospel of Matthew 6:25—“Do not worry about your life”—and still our hearts are restless. We worry about our health, our marriages, our relationships, our families, and the uncertain road ahead.
Soon our confession is followed by a “but.” But this happened to me. But they said this. But, no one cares anymore. But, what am I supposed to do? But, I have rights. But, I deserve better. But, I will not endure this. In these moments, our faith yields to self, and our trust in God is overshadowed by our circumstances. We immediately feel we have a right to our feelings or behavior because of our circumstances.
Scripture speaks clearly and abundantly on this matter—dozens of passages call us away from anxiety and into trust. Yet too often, these truths are brushed aside, and a quiet darkness settles over the soul. The mind turns inward, feeding on fear and uncertainty, and the peace of Christ begins to fade. Though we know Him, hope feels distant, as though His promises have failed us, and we are left striving to catch our breath on our own.
If we are not vigilant, worry and anxiety cease to be passing struggles and instead become a pattern—a way of life. And in that place, we do not merely struggle with fear; we begin to live as though Christ is not sufficient, forgetting that He who commands us not to worry is the same Lord who faithfully sustains all things.
Let’s explore this further in the hope that further understanding will correct our path.
Feelings
Feelings, when left unchecked, can quietly assume dominion over our lives. When the mind turns inward, we become consumed with ourselves, and from this inward gaze arise both natural and spiritual troubles. It can seem as though God’s presence has withdrawn, leaving behind an emptiness that feels hopeless. Isolation sets in—no one understands, no one cares; there is only me. Even family and friends begin to feel like burdens.
Our thoughts become entangled in the noise of the world—“he said, she said”—until they crowd out truth. We look around, and everything appears unstable, as though the very world is collapsing. Joy fades. Desire weakens. What once stirred the heart no longer moves us. And when such heaviness spills outward, others withdraw. We find ourselves with little life to give, and in time, we feel abandoned. For who willingly remains where life is continually drained?
All of this begins, is sustained, and ultimately ends with feelings.
“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?” —Psalm 42:11 (ESV)
Yet we must ask: did not God give us feelings? Do feelings not have a rightful place in our walk with Him? Indeed, feelings matter. They can serve as indicators—guilt may reveal sin, prompting us to search our hearts, uncover the cause, and pursue repentance. Love, aversion, pain, and healing all carry purpose. Feelings are, in this sense, a gift.
But here lies the issue: while feelings are valuable servants, they make poor masters. When they govern us, they distort truth and displace faith. We must never allow what we feel to override what God has said.
“Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” —Psalm 42:11 (ESV)
The answer, then, is not to suppress feelings, nor to exalt them, but to bring them under the authority of faith—anchoring the soul not in shifting emotion, but in the unchanging character of God. Feelings should prompt us to look to God not to self and self gratification in terms of “getting even” or “letting them have it” or even “someone has to tell them their wrong”. In doing these things we often back them up with scripture. What a terrible smear on the character of God. Our response and action should always exemplify Christ and Christ does not condone retaliation. Vengeance is always His. Our response should be to be quiet.
What Should We Do
Believe the Best—Always
We are called to see others through the lens of Christ’s love—steadfast, hopeful, and unyielding. This means choosing to believe the best about those we encounter, whether family, friends, or strangers. Such love is not naïve; it is anchored in faith and sustained by grace.
“Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up.” —1 Corinthians 13:7 (TPT)
To walk in this kind of love is to reflect the heart of God, who is patient with us and rich in mercy.
Stop Finding Fault
We must resist the impulse to scrutinize, criticize, and condemn—whether toward individuals or those who preach the gospel. Scripture offers a sobering perspective:
“Those who preach Christ with ambition and competition are insincere—they just want to add to the hardships of my imprisonment. Yet in spite of all of this I am overjoyed! For what does it matter as long as Christ is being preached? If they preach him with mixed motives or with genuine love, the message of Christ is still being preached. And I will continue to rejoice.” —Philippians 1:17–18 (TPT)
It is easy to identify faults in others, especially when we have been wounded by pride, rejection, or harsh treatment. There are those who, through their attitudes or self-importance, have driven people away rather than drawn them nearer to Christ. Such experiences are not easily forgotten. Yet even in these, we must discern rightly: if Christ is truly being proclaimed, then the gospel itself remains untainted, regardless of the messenger’s flaws.
This does not excuse wrongdoing, but it redirects our focus. We are not called to sit in judgment over every servant of God. Instead, we are called to guard our own hearts.
When Peter questioned Jesus about another disciple’s future, the Lord answered plainly:
“If I decide to let him live until I return, what concern is that of yours? You must still keep on following me!” —John 21:22 (TPT)
The command is unmistakable: follow Christ, and do not be distracted by the path assigned to others.
Keep your eyes fixed on Him. Do not become entangled in the words, actions, or motives of those around you—whether friend, family member, or stranger. If correction can be offered in truth and love, without anger or pride, then speak it. If not, entrust them to God. Pray, and leave the matter in His hands.
And once you have done so, do not return to it. Do not rehearse the offense or carry it forward. It is no longer yours to bear. “What concern is that of yours?”
It is His concern. Your calling is to remain faithful, to walk in love, and to keep following Christ.
Keep Your Garments Clean
Reflect on Adam as an example.
- Before the fall, Adam was bathed in glory.
- After the fall, Adam was naked and ashamed.
- When facing God, Adam clothed himself with leaves. This was not adequate.
- Then God clothed Adam with animal skins as temporary sacrifice for Adam’s sin until Jesus died on the cross.
Accepting Jesus death and the fact that He bore our sins we became Born Again. If we endure and overcome the temptations of this world we will be clothed again in clean garment of glory.
“I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.” Revelation 3:18-19 ESV
Keeping your garment clean is the same as saying keep yourselves pure, unstained by the world and worldly systems. Witness to them for they need Christ but do not join them or befriend them. If you do they will think that what they are doing or the way they think is acceptable. With reference to Christ and your standing as a Christian you are on a “high place”. Their standards are lower than yours and you must lift them up. Always remembering that it is much easier to pull someone down into sin than it is to lift someone up into righteousness. Do not let them pull you down by befriending them in a worldly manner. I have actually heard of a woman who saw herself as a Christian prostitute, winning souls to Christ. Others think freely of going into bars joining in and drinking hoping to win souls. Jesus may have been considered “a wine bibber” and a “friend of sinners” but He did so by bringing others up to His level never going down to theirs.
“Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head.” Ecclesiastics 9:8 ESV
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained (keep your garments clean) from the world.
“James 1:27
“And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.” Jude 1:22-23 ESV
We must take this seriously! Sin of all kinds has perverted the Church. All types of sexual sin, self awareness sins, greed, feelgood sermons that are disguised as Grace. We are failing. Neglected holiness. Read and study Matthew 22:11-13 Many have become “wanderers” going here and there acknowledging but not taking the words of God seriously.
I have work clothes, they are not soiled garments. I do not have to soil my garment so I can teach other how to clean them. I start with clean (work clothes) showing others the pure joy of repentance and freedom from sin (soil).
Conclusion
What is it to you – what people say or do or think. Look in a mirror. This is where your attention should be focused. Not the self of the image represented but ask yourself, “Are your garments clean?” “Am I doing and speaking what I should”? “Are my actions and attitude righteous?” You have no excuse criticizing others without first looking in a mirror.
Worry, petty arguments etc, where do they get you? Absolutely nowhere. They bring you no comfort in this world nor will they bring you reward in the next. What they do is, rob you of your peace your comfort and your joy. To everyone else they show a bitterness and unrest that is anything but Godly. Your worth to family, friends, acquaintances and everyone you meet declines. Spiritually, your clothing is stained.
For the Christian there should be only one desire in life, that is that you will be granted a chair at the banqueting table of our Lord Jesus Christ. As His bride you will be without blemish. Your clothing will be unstained. You will have adornment fitting for the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. All things, worries, bitterness, will have passed away.
This is a hope we can count on. It is a desire to strive for. Overcoming all our obstacles becomes worthy of our efforts. There is a future that is better than the present and I’m going to be there. Why should anything else matter? Our only concern is the race we are in and winning should be the only thing on our mine.
Focus you whole being on this prayer: “Lord, that I may be granted a chair at Your table”. All worries will pass away.
Enough Said
“Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16 ESV
