095. Worry

Worry and anxiety are the silent weight many of us carry daily, and in this episode Dr. Tom Pound pulls apart Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6 to show how faith actually frees us from that weight. We explore the Greek word marimnao—how it can be a healthy care, an anxious distraction, or a crippling perpetual worry—and why Jesus tells us to stop living like pagans frantically running after needs. Tom walks through cultural drivers of modern anxiety (the pandemic, smartphones, and certain parenting messages), gives honest pushback about hard situations, and then points to a counterintuitive cure: seek first God’s kingdom. You’ll get practical steps for daily living—how to partner with God by doing your part without being consumed by fear—and the comforting reminder that each day has enough pressure of its own. Whether you’re trapped in chronic worry or want better tools to support someone who is, this episode offers compassion, truth, and actionable faith. Listen now. Discussion Questions: What modern factors Tom mentions (pandemic, technology, parenting) do you see affecting your life or your community's anxiety levels? Read Matthew 6:25–34. What phrase in these verses stands out to you and why? In what ways might you be 'running after' needs (epi zetaō) instead of 'seeking first' God’s kingdom (proton zetaō)? If someone in the group admits they feel trapped by perpetual worry, how can the group respond with both compassion and practical help? What is one concrete habit you can adopt this week to 'seek God first' in your present moment (morning prayer, Sabbath practice, attention management)?