Give Your Worries to God (But That Doesn’t Mean Do Nothing)

Grandma Comes Clean!

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”—1 Peter 5:7 (KJV)

This beloved verse is often quoted for comfort—and rightly so. It reminds us that God is not indifferent to our burdens. He invites us to cast them on Him because He cares. But we must be careful not to twist this invitation into a justification for passivity.

What It Doesn’t Mean

“Give your worries to God” does not mean that you stop doing your part. It doesn’t mean you skip studying for that exam and expect God to magically fill in the answers. It doesn’t mean you ignore your health while trusting everything will work out. It doesn’t mean you abandon all planning, preparation, or effort.

Some people have used the phrase “I’m trusting God” as a spiritual-sounding excuse for not taking responsibility. They say, “God’s got this,” while they sit on their hands. But biblical trust isn’t laziness. It’s not spiritualized irresponsibility. God doesn’t bless neglect disguised as faith.

Faith Is Not Passive

Faith isn’t doing nothing—it’s doing the right thing with the right heart. It’s working hard while resting in God. The Bible never says faith replaces effort; it says faith removes worry.

Faith is studying and praying. It’s working and trusting. It’s parenting diligently and leaving your child’s heart in God’s hands. It’s leading a church faithfully and knowing the results are in the Lord’s control.

That’s the kind of faith that holds when life shakes you.

A Personal Story: God Can Handle What You Can’t

Years ago, my pastor took a church that had a reputation. He was told it was a pastor-killing church. He just smiled and said, “That won’t be a problem. I don’t get ulcers—I give them!” Funny, sure, but a little cocky.

Soon enough, the challenges of that church proved overwhelming. Troubles mounted until, one day, he went to the Lord and said, “I can’t do this. You’re going to have to do something or this is over.”

God did do something—but not in any way he expected.

One of the primary troublemakers in the church, a woman who had stirred up no small amount of strife, had to go to the doctor. Tests were done, and the results came back: cancer. The doctor admitted her to the hospital immediately. It was Friday.

By Saturday, conviction began to set in. Thinking she was dying, the woman began to reflect—and repent. Her conscience was heavy. She told the doctor she had to leave the hospital. “I have to get right with God and the church,” she said. The doctor didn’t want to release her, but she insisted.

Sunday morning, she walked into the service and asked if she could speak. She stood before the congregation, confessed her sins—and everyone else’s too! What followed was nothing short of a revival. People got right with God. Others got right with one another. A fresh spirit swept through the church.

That afternoon, she returned to the hospital.

On Monday, the doctor walked into her room with an apology. He had misread the charts and looked at the wrong X-rays and lab reports. She didn’t have cancer after all.

The woman rejoiced. The church rejoiced. The pastor rejoiced.

And God? He had been in control the whole time.

The Balance: Trust and Responsibility

Giving your worries to God doesn’t mean quitting. It doesn’t mean you stop praying, stop working, or stop caring. It means you stop carrying what only God can handle.

It means you’re faithful to do, and faithful to trust. It means you do the planting and watering, but know that only God gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6).

So study hard. Work wisely. Lead with courage. Live with diligence.

But don’t carry the weight of the world.

Give it to God. He really does care for you.