I’ve written about this before, but I feel impressed to talk about it again this morning.
In the Old Testament, several Hebrew words are used for sin. One of them is chata’. Chata’ literally means to miss—as in missing the mark. We see this word used in Psalm 119.
Psalm 119:11 (NKJV) “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”
We could read it this way: “I have hidden Your word in my heart so that I won’t miss the mark.”
That word picture stuck with me. It reminded me of a friend who once said something inappropriate to his wife. The moment the words left his mouth, he quietly muttered, “Oh, oh… I’ve just blown it.” He knew instantly—he had missed the mark.
Worry is chata’. It is missing the mark. It is sin.
For many people, worry feels like compassion. “I’ve been worried about you,” we say. Some of us were even taught growing up that worrying for someone is an act of love. But it’s not. It’s chata’. It’s missing the mark.
Worry does nothing but give momentum to unbelief—and unbelief is the enemy of faith. Worry strips faith from our lives just as surely as unbelief does.
Scripture does not mince words about the importance of faith.
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) “And without faith it is impossible to please God…”
Impossible. That’s a strong word—and one we should take seriously.
Now consider something sobering. As you read the following passage, notice two things: first, unbelief actually hindered Jesus from doing miracles; and second, Jesus marveled at the strength of that unbelief.
Mark 6:4–6 (NIV) “Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.’ He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And He was amazed at their lack of faith.”
Have you ever unclogged a drain? What comes out is disgusting—and it completely blocks the flow. Worry is like that. It clogs the flow of God’s power in our lives because it carries the inherent poison of unbelief.
Unbelief is really misplaced faith. It’s faith in what the devil can do instead of faith in what God can do.
Think about it. You’ve probably heard statements like these—or maybe said them yourself:
- “I just know they’re going to downsize my company, and I’ll lose my job.”
- “I’m sure I’ll get the flu this winter.”
- “I’ll never find the right person. All the good ones are taken.”
- “I always get sick. I know it’s coming.”
Worry is a down payment on the very thing you fear. It is faith—misdirected faith—in what the enemy might bring against you.
That’s why God instructs us so clearly:
1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
So if worry is sin, what’s the solution?
Drive a stake through it.
Those stakes are the promises of God. God’s promises demolish unbelief. When you take them into your heart—over time—they strengthen your mind, anchor your heart, and transform you from a worrier into a person of prayer and proclamation.
You become someone who puts a stake in the ground and takes hold of what Jesus died to give you—your spiritual inheritance in Him.
You learn to say with confidence:
Hebrews 13:5–6 (TLB) “For God has said, ‘I will never, never fail you nor forsake you.’ That is why we can say without any doubt or fear, ‘The Lord is my Helper, and I am not afraid of anything that mere man can do to me.’”
Instead of worrying about the many negative things that try to rain down on our lives, cast those cares—one by one—onto the Lord.
Pray. Trust. Listen. Follow His leading.
Let your heart say: Father, I will not miss the mark by worrying. I will pray. I will trust You. I believe You are my defender and my ever-present help in times of trouble. I praise You because I know You love me and care about even the smallest details of my life.
Instead of worrying, talk to Him. Proclaim His promises. Pray through the eyes of faith.
