Dethroning Worry: Letting God Take His Rightful Place
Recently, I was listening to one of my favorite gospel groups, The Collingsworth Family, on YouTube. Kim Collingsworth, mother and world-famous piano player, said something that stopped me in my tracks:
“All worry dethrones God and makes you king. All worry makes you king and God incompetent.”
Those words hit hard because they’re so true. Worry is something we all deal with, but have you ever thought about what it really says about your faith? Worry isn’t just stress or anxiety—it’s us trying to take control of things that only God can handle. It’s like saying, “God, I don’t think You’ve got this, so I’ll step in.”
The Bible teaches us over and over again that God is in control. In Proverbs 3:5-6, it says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” When we worry, we’re leaning on our own understanding instead of trusting God’s perfect plan. We’re basically pushing Him off the throne of our lives and saying, “I’ll handle this myself.”
But here’s the problem: we can’t handle it. Worry makes us feel like we’re in charge, but it doesn’t change anything. Jesus Himself said in Matthew 6:27, “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” The answer, of course, is no. Worry doesn’t solve problems—it just steals our peace and makes us feel overwhelmed.
Even worse, worry makes God seem small. It’s like we’re saying, “God, I don’t believe You’re able to fix this.” But that’s not the God we serve. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us, “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.” When we bring our worries to God and trust Him with them, He gives us a peace that doesn’t even make sense.
Worry is sneaky because it feels like something we can’t control, but there’s a better way. When we choose worship instead of worry, everything shifts. Worship is like handing the crown back to God and saying, “You’re in charge, not me.” Psalm 55:22 says, “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.” That’s a promise we can count on—God will hold us up when life feels too heavy.
The truth is, worry is exhausting because we’re trying to carry something we were never meant to carry. Jesus invites us to let it go. He said in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” When we focus on God and trust Him to take care of us, we can finally breathe.
So, the next time worry tries to creep in, stop and remember who’s really in control. Be still and let God be God. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Kim’s words remind us of something powerful: when we worry, we’re sitting on a throne we were never meant to sit on. But when we trust God, we give Him His rightful place as King, and we can rest in the fact that He’s got it all under control. Let’s step off the throne, let go of the worry, and let God take over. That’s where true peace begins.
P.S. If you enjoy Southern Gospel music at its best, I highly recommend checking out The Collingsworth Family’s website or experiencing their incredible ministry in person by attending one of their concerts. Their music and message are sure to bless your heart!
All teachings are prayerfully written by Daniel Glasco, utilizing available resources to faithfully present biblical truth and discipleship encouragement.