The Quote
“No amount of worry can solve any problem.”
— Godwin Delali Adadzie
Context and Inspiration
This quote speaks to a universal human struggle: the temptation to worry when facing challenges beyond our control. Despite knowing intellectually that worry accomplishes nothing, people spend countless hours in anxious rumination about finances, health, relationships, and the future. The pattern is remarkably consistent across cultures and generations—worry feels productive because it occupies the mind and creates the illusion of doing something about our problems. Yet honest reflection reveals that worry has never actually solved a single problem. This observation invites us to examine why we persist in this unproductive habit and to discover the more excellent way that Jesus offers: trust in God’s providential care combined with wise, faithful action.
The Futility of Worry: What Jesus Taught
Jesus addressed worry directly and repeatedly in His teaching. In Matthew 6:25-34, He gives us perhaps the most comprehensive treatment of anxiety in all of Scripture:
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”
Notice Jesus’s rhetorical question: “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” The expected answer is obvious—no, you cannot. Worry is fundamentally unproductive. It doesn’t extend your life, solve your problems, or improve your circumstances. In fact, medical research shows that chronic worry does the opposite: it shortens life, impairs problem-solving ability, and worsens circumstances by triggering stress responses that harm physical and mental health.
Jesus continues: “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?”
Here Jesus identifies the root of worry: lack of faith. Not lack of concern or prudent planning, but lack of trust in God’s providential care. Worry says, “God might not come through for me. I need to figure this out on my own. The burden is entirely on my shoulders.” Faith says, “God has proven faithful in the past. He will provide what I need. I can plan and act wisely while trusting His care.”
Understanding the Difference: Concern vs. Worry
Before we go further, we must make a crucial distinction: concern is not the same as worry.
Concern is appropriate awareness of real challenges combined with thoughtful response. If your child is sick, concern prompts you to seek medical care, monitor symptoms, and provide comfort. Concern is active, productive, and proportionate to the situation.
Worry is repetitive, anxious rumination about potential outcomes beyond your control. If your child is sick, worry keeps you awake at 3 AM mentally rehearsing worst-case scenarios, imagining every terrible possibility, and mentally reliving the situation without taking any helpful action.
Concern leads to prayer and prudent action. Worry leads to paralysis and despair.
The Catholic tradition has always distinguished between these. St. Francis de Sales wrote: “Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset. If you find that you have wandered away from the shelter of God, lead your heart back to Him quietly and simply.”
Notice he doesn’t say to ignore real problems or pretend everything is fine. He says to maintain inner peace—which means responding to challenges from a place of trust rather than anxiety.
Why We Worry: The Psychology and Theology of Anxiety
If worry accomplishes nothing, why do we do it so persistently? Several factors contribute:
1. The Illusion of Control
Worry gives us the feeling that we’re doing something about our problems. Our minds trick us into thinking that by mentally rehearsing every scenario, we’re somehow preparing for it or preventing it. This is false. Preparation is useful; rumination is not. Planning for known challenges is wise; obsessing over unknowable futures is foolish.
2. Pride and Self-Reliance
Deep down, worry often stems from the belief that everything depends on us. “If I don’t figure this out, it won’t get figured out. If I don’t control this situation, it will fall apart.” This is pride masquerading as responsibility. It assumes we are the ultimate providers and protectors rather than recognizing our dependence on God.
3. Lack of Trust in Divine Providence
The Catechism teaches: “Divine providence consists of the dispositions by which God guides all his creatures with wisdom and love to their ultimate end” (CCC 321). God is actively involved in His creation, caring for even the smallest sparrow. Yet we act as though we must manage everything ourselves, as though God might forget about us or fail to provide.
4. Attachment to Specific Outcomes
We worry because we’re convinced that our happiness depends on specific outcomes: getting this job, marrying this person, avoiding this loss, achieving this goal. When we’re attached to particular results, any threat to those outcomes triggers anxiety. The spiritual masters teach detachment—not indifference, but freedom from the tyranny of specific outcomes. This is what Jesus meant by “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).
What Worry Actually Accomplishes (Spoiler: Nothing Good)
Let’s be brutally honest about what worry does:
1. Worry Wastes Time and Energy
Hours spent in anxious rumination are hours not spent in prayer, work, relationships, rest, or joy. Worry is mentally and emotionally exhausting. It drains us without producing anything of value.
2. Worry Impairs Decision-Making
Anxiety triggers the amygdala (the brain’s fear center) and reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex (responsible for rational thinking and planning). The result? When we’re most anxious, we’re least capable of making wise decisions. Worry clouds judgment rather than clarifying it.
3. Worry Damages Health
Chronic worry and anxiety contribute to high blood pressure, heart disease, digestive problems, weakened immune function, and mental health disorders. Far from protecting us, worry literally makes us sick.
4. Worry Steals Joy
Jesus said He came that we might have life abundantly (John 10:10). Worry robs us of that abundant life by keeping us trapped in fearful futures rather than present in the grace-filled now. How many beautiful moments have we missed because our minds were consumed with anxious thoughts?
5. Worry Reveals Misplaced Trust
Ultimately, worry shows where we’ve placed our trust. If we trust in our own abilities, our finances, our health, our plans—worry makes sense, because all these things are unstable and uncertain. But if we trust in God, who is unchanging and utterly faithful, worry makes no sense at all.
The Catholic Alternative to Worry: Abandonment to Divine Providence
So if worry accomplishes nothing, what’s the alternative? The Catholic spiritual tradition offers a beautiful answer: abandonment to Divine Providence.
This doesn’t mean passivity or fatalism. It doesn’t mean we stop planning, working, or taking appropriate action. It means we do what we can and trust God with what we cannot.
St. Thérèse of Lisieux exemplified this perfectly. She wrote: “For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.” She didn’t ignore her suffering or pretend everything was easy. She surrendered it to God and trusted His love.
St. Padre Pio famously said: “Pray, hope, and don’t worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer.” Notice the formula: prayer + hope + trust = peace. It’s not denial; it’s divine confidence.
Jean-Pierre de Caussade, in his classic work Abandonment to Divine Providence, wrote: “The present moment is always full of infinite treasure. It contains far more than you have capacity to hold… The will of God presents itself at each instant like an immense ocean which the desire of your heart cannot empty.”
This is the Catholic way: radical trust in God’s moment-by-moment care, combined with faithful response to present duties.
Practical Steps: Moving from Worry to Trust
Understanding that worry is useless is one thing; actually stopping worrying is another. Here are concrete, Catholic practices for cultivating trust and releasing anxiety:
1. Bring Your Worries to Prayer Immediately
Don’t let anxious thoughts spiral. The moment you notice worry rising, turn to God. St. Paul writes: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Name your worry specifically. “Lord, I’m anxious about this medical test result.” “Father, I’m worried about my daughter’s choices.” “Jesus, I’m afraid I won’t have enough money to pay rent.” Be honest. God already knows.
Then practice surrender: “I give this to You. I trust You with this outcome. Help me do what I can and trust You with what I cannot.”
2. Practice the Daily Examen
St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Daily Examen is a powerful tool for recognizing patterns of worry and growing in trust. Each evening, review your day:
- When did I feel anxious today?
- What triggered that anxiety?
- Did the worry help in any way?
- Where did I experience God’s provision today?
- What can I thank God for?
This practice trains you to notice both your worry patterns and God’s faithfulness, making it easier to trust rather than worry.
3. Memorize and Meditate on Scripture
Fill your mind with truth that combats anxiety. Memorize passages like:
- “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7)
- “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1)
- “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you” (John 14:27)
When worry rises, speak these truths out loud. Let Scripture replace anxious thoughts with divine promises.
4. Take Appropriate Action, Then Release
Sometimes we worry because we haven’t done what we actually can do. If you’re worried about finances, create a budget. If you’re worried about your health, schedule a doctor’s appointment. If you’re worried about a relationship, have the difficult conversation.
But once you’ve done what’s within your power, release it. Continuing to worry after taking appropriate action is like pushing on a door that only opens when you pull. You’re expending energy in a way that accomplishes nothing.
5. Practice Gratitude Daily
Gratitude and anxiety cannot coexist. Make it a daily practice to list specific things you’re grateful for. Be concrete: not just “I’m grateful for my family” but “I’m grateful that my daughter laughed at breakfast this morning. I’m grateful for hot coffee. I’m grateful that my body allowed me to walk today.”
This retrains your brain to notice God’s provision rather than focusing on potential threats.
6. Cultivate Present-Moment Awareness
Most worry is about the future: “What if this happens? What if that doesn’t happen?” Jesus said, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34).
Stay present. What is required of you right now, in this moment? Do that. Trust God with the next moment when it comes.
7. Seek Spiritual Direction
If anxiety is chronic and overwhelming, seek help. Talk to a priest, spiritual director, or Catholic counselor. The Church has 2,000 years of wisdom about spiritual struggles. You don’t have to navigate this alone. There’s no shame in needing guidance and support.
When Worry Becomes Clinical Anxiety: A Pastoral Note
We must acknowledge that for some people, anxiety is not merely a spiritual struggle but a clinical condition requiring professional treatment. Anxiety disorders affect millions of people and have real neurological and physiological components.
If your worry is:
- Persistent and uncontrollable despite prayer and spiritual practices
- Accompanied by physical symptoms (panic attacks, insomnia, racing heart)
- Interfering with daily functioning (work, relationships, responsibilities)
- Leading to avoidance behaviors or depression
Please seek help from a mental health professional. Medication, therapy, and spiritual practices can work together. Needing medical help for anxiety is no different than needing medical help for diabetes or a broken bone. God works through doctors and therapists too.
The spiritual counsel in this article is meant for the ordinary worries that all humans face, not as a replacement for professional treatment when needed.
Biblical Examples: Saints Who Chose Trust Over Worry
Scripture is full of people who faced legitimate reasons to worry but chose trust instead:
Abraham was called to sacrifice his promised son, yet trusted God’s plan (Genesis 22).
Moses led millions through a desert with no visible means of support, yet trusted God to provide (Exodus 16).
David was hunted by a murderous king, yet wrote, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you” (Psalm 56:3).
Mary received news that would result in public shame and potential death, yet responded, “Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).
The Apostles faced persecution, imprisonment, and martyrdom, yet Paul could write from prison: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).
None of these people had easy lives. All faced genuine hardships. But they chose trust over worry, and God proved faithful.
Living in Freedom: The Peace That Surpasses Understanding
Imagine living without the constant burden of worry. Not because your life has no challenges—it will always have challenges—but because you’ve learned to trust the One who holds all things in His hands.
This is the peace Jesus offers: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
The world’s peace depends on circumstances going well. Christ’s peace exists regardless of circumstances because it’s grounded in something unchanging: God’s character and love.
When you release worry and embrace trust, you gain:
- Mental and emotional energy for productive purposes
- Clarity to make wise decisions
- Physical and mental health
- Present-moment joy
- Deeper relationship with God
- Witness to others of a better way
This is abundant life. This is the freedom of the children of God.
Conclusion: Choose Trust Daily
“No amount of worry can solve any problem.” This isn’t just a nice saying; it’s demonstrable truth. Worry has never fixed a broken relationship, healed a disease, secured a job, or changed an outcome. It only robs us of peace.
But we have a choice. Every day, in every situation, we can choose: Will I worry, or will I trust?
Make that choice consciously. When worry rises—and it will—acknowledge it, bring it to God, take appropriate action if needed, and then release it. Practice this daily, hourly if necessary.
Over time, trust becomes a habit. The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, becomes your default state rather than anxiety.
God is faithful. He has proven it throughout salvation history and in your own life. Look back and see His provision. Then look forward with confidence: the God who has been faithful will continue to be faithful.
As St. Julian of Norwich wrote after her mystical visions: “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.”
Not because circumstances will always be easy, but because God is always good, always present, and always working all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).
Trust Him. Release your worry. Live in peace.
Reflection Questions
- What are you currently worrying about? Has that worry solved the problem or simply drained your energy?
- Can you identify times in your past when worry accomplished nothing, but God came through anyway?
- What’s the difference between legitimate concern that prompts wise action and unhelpful worry that leads to anxiety?
- Which of the practical steps above could you implement immediately to begin replacing worry with trust?
- What specific Scripture passage could you memorize to combat your most frequent worry?
Related Quotes
- “Faith is a journey. Not a one day trip. It is a life’s journey.”
- “God is not a genie. Prayer is not a magic lamp.”
- “Academic credentials are good. However, life is not all about masters and doctorates but about master Jesus our doctor.”
Want to deepen your trust in God? Explore my book on the Rosary or read more articles on faith and spiritual growth.
