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5 Reasons It’s So Hard to Cast Your Worries Aside

5 Reasons It’s So Hard to Cast Your Worries Aside

The Bible tells us, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). This verse is encouraging and can bring peace of mind, yet for many of us, it is still hard to cast our worries aside. 

It is important to note that you can have faith in Jesus and still be worried. Sadly, I have come across many Christians who have made me feel bad about my worries as they tell me that I don’t have “enough faith” or I’m not trusting God enough.

If you have also had this happen to you, my heart goes out to you. Faith in Jesus and existing worries can coexist. Simply because you have worries in your heart does not mean you are lacking in faith or you aren’t trusting God enough. 

There is nothing “unspiritual” about having doubts, fears, and worries about life. God can help in these areas, yet we cannot run from the fact that we will continue to have worries throughout our life. 

Although there are many people who claim they have no worries in their life—they still have worries. Many Christians try to put on a mask of a “worry-free, perfect life,” but this isn’t true. Nobody’s life is perfect nor is it worry-free. 

All parents, all adults, and even all children will have worries at times. Most of us as adults can attest to the truth that our worries increase with age due to more responsibilities on our shoulders. 

When our worries start rising, we need to know that Jesus is with us. When Peter tells us to cast all of our anxiety on Jesus because He cares for us, Peter is telling us the truth. Jesus wants us to cast all of our anxieties and worries on Him because He loves us. 

It will still be hard at times; however, the more we reflect on Christ, the more we will see Him instead of our worries. While it is impossible to have a worry-free life, it is possible to focus more on Jesus rather than on our worst fears. 

Here are five reasons it’s so hard to cast your worries aside. 

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Siarhei Khaletski

  • Woman looking stressed

    1. Life Stressors

    Life stressors are one of the many reasons why it is so hard to cast your worries aside. Oftentimes, I feel like the seed that is choked by the plants or, in other words, “the worries of the world” (Matthew 13:7). By being choked by the worries of the world, I am often made unfruitful (Mark 4:18-19). Maybe you also feel this way because of all of your life stressors.

    When we look at these Bible verses as spoken by the Lord, we can see that being controlled by the worries of the world, we become unfruitful for Christ. This is exactly what Satan wants us to do. Instead of being focused on the Lord, the devil wants us to be focused on the stressors of life.

    As believers, we need to acknowledge our life stressors, but we cannot be controlled by them. We need to do all we can to resolve these concerns; however, we cannot stress about the things we cannot control.

    Think about whatever is stressing you today. A few major life stressors include financial issues, moving to a new city, or a problem at work. All of these are valid worries. Remind yourself that you are worried because you care.;

    There is nothing wrong with caring — yet it is also important to not allow your worries to consume you. It is tough to cast your worries aside but remember who you are casting your worries to.

    You are casting your worries on Jesus, the Savior of our souls. He is fully reliable and trustworthy. The Lord is always on your side, and He will help carry any burden you have (Matthew 11:28-30). Cast all of your worries onto Jesus and know that He is more than capable of handling them. Your worries are safe in His hands.

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  • Thanksgiving family dinner conflict drama around the holidays

    2. Family Issues

    Another reason why it’s so hard to cast your worries aside is because of family issues. As someone who has chronically had family issues, I can share with you how difficult it can be.

    Being worried about your family members, worrying about their health, and what they are doing with their lives are all valid reasons to stay up at night. I have especially been worried about my family members since the death of my mother.

    This is a common concern for many people as they are worried about their family members and their health. Experiencing the death of a loved one makes you become more concerned with your present family members.

    Since you have already seen a loved one die, it is hard to cope with the idea that other family members might pass away before you do. This has kept me up at night to the point of losing excessive sleep.

    Does it mean that I doubt God and His goodness? Of course not. It just means that I live in a fallen world just like you do, and we are constantly being exposed to the results of sin. One of these many results is the death of our loved ones.

    When you feel you are worried about family issues, start talking things out with God. Tell Him how you are feeling and ask Him to help you with your fears. God is always close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18).

    Trust Him with the family issues you are experiencing and know that He will work everything out for your good (Romans 8:28). If your family issues are due to other reasons, know that sometimes limited contact with difficult family members might be the only way to go. Don't feel guilty for having to remove yourself from a toxic situation.

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  • Upset couple arguing

    3. Relationship Issues

    A third reason why it is so hard to cast your worries aside is because of relationship issues. Relationship issues, especially romantic relationships can cause many worries to rise in our hearts.

    If you are newly into a relationship or have been in a relationship for many years, it can cause you to become worried about what will happen with the relationship. Common concerns can be, “What if he/she leaves me?” or “What if it doesn't work out?” All of these things can cause us to feel extremely worried.

    It doesn't mean that we are doubting God. Rather, we are doubting what could happen and/or the relationship. Before you get into any relationship, talk with God in prayer about it. Ask Him to help you find the right person, to direct you, and to give you courage.

    It can be scary to start a new relationship, yet it is something that is vitally important. If you do not have God to be the basis of your relationship, you will run into many problems.

    On the other hand, if you have been in a relationship for a long time, you might have different worries, such as “Why hasn’t he asked me to marry him?” or “What if he/she is not the one?” Yet again, all of these worries and fears are valid, and they should not be downplayed. Allow yourself to go to God with these questions and trust Him with any worries that arise. He will give you direction, peace, and solace.

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  • Woman on a hospital bed

    4. Medical Scares

    Medical scares are a fourth reason why it’s hard to cast your worries aside. Whenever we are facing medical issues, it can be extremely hard not to feel worried, scared, and uncertain.

    I faced an unwanted diagnosis a few years ago and have undergone treatment, yet the worries surrounding this diagnosis still persist. Even though I trust God with the outcome of whatever I face, I still get afraid. To be afraid and to be worried is to be human.

    We can have amazing faith and trust, only to still have bouts of worry. This is because being worried is not tied to our faith or our lack of faith.

    Worries abound, and they will continue throughout our lives. It is not a lack of Christian growth to still have worries and our own fears. Place your trust and hope in Jesus, but also, don’t be surprised when worries still come.

    Each time worry comes, hand it over to God. Continue to hand each individual worry over to God as it arises. No worry or fear is too much for God and you never bother Him by asking Him for His help.

    God wants you to come to Him with all of your fears and He never condemns you for being worried. Worries are a part of life, which we cannot run from. However, when we find ourselves dwelling on the worries, we need to turn to Jesus and place them in His care.

    The Lord will carry all of your worries and concerns (Matthew 11:28-30). He is ready to help you with these worries whenever you are. When you are worried and fearful, look to Jesus. Cast your focus on Him. The more you do this, the more you will focus on Jesus instead of the worries, concerns, and fears of life.

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  • Woman with a question mark in front of her face

    5. The Unknown Future

    The unknown future is a fifth reason it’s so hard to cast your fears aside. While I trust God, I don’t trust myself. Due to making many bad decisions and many mistakes, I am often worried that I’m not following the path God has for me. I have many questions concerning my career, my personal issues, and my life. All of these things can cause anyone to be scared of the future. What if somehow, I’m not living the life that God wants me to live?

    If you have also faced this worry and concern, know that there are many things we can do. Despite our mess ups and failures, God is still directing us. Even though our life might feel upside down at times, we can know we are following God if we are obeying Him.

    If we are obeying Him and loving Him, then we know that we are following the path God has for us. It is hard to understand God’s direction, but sometimes He is already directing us without us even knowing it.

    God orchestrates all parts of our life, and we can trust Him. He is the Writer of our story, and we can trust Him. Even though we will make many mistakes, God will still work these things out for our good.

    Concerning the future, we can trust God that no matter what happens, it will work out in accordance with His will. While this might not give us assurance of a “good” future, we need to know that whatever future God has in store for us will ultimately help us in our walk with Him.

    Our future might look differently than our friends or our families’ lives, but it doesn’t mean our future is inferior. Rather, our future is beautiful because it is written by God. Worries will still abound and be overwhelming at times, but we can remind ourselves that everything is in God’s control.

    One day, we will no longer have any worries and we can eagerly await this day. This day will be realized in the New Heaven and New Earth, which God will bring about in His own time (Revelation 21).

    Five reasons it’s so hard to cast your worries aside is because of life stressors, family issues, relationship issues, medical scares, and the unknown future. By giving these stressors over to God, you will be able to have a more fulfilling, fruitful, and joyful life in service to Him.

    Related Resource: 4 Ways To Pursue Rest & Lower Stress

    Are you caught in the whirlwind of stress, constantly battling against the tide of anxiety and worry? Join Bonnie Gray on a journey to find solace and rejuvenation in the midst of life's chaos. In this episode of Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast, we delve into the heart of rest and restoration. Have you ever wondered how to truly experience rest amidst life's demands? Well, wonder no more. Bonnie explores the transformative power of rest, diving deep into the intersection of scripture, science, and soul care. 

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    Vivian Bricker author bio photoVivian Bricker loves Jesus, studying the Word of God, and helping others in their walk with Christ. She has earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master's degree in Christian Ministry with a deep academic emphasis in theology. Her favorite things to do are spending time with her family and friends, reading, and spending time outside. When she is not writing, she is embarking on other adventures.