Poems About Worry
Poems about worry inspire letting go of fear, embracing peace, and resilience.Short Poems & Quotes | Poems Of Encouragement / Poems About Worry
By Catherine Pulsifer, Updated October 14, 2024
These poems about worry encourage a shift in mindset, letting go of anxiety and fear to peace and resilience. Worry and anxiety are natural responses to uncertainty or fear, but they often become overwhelming forces that consume our energy. When we dwell on things outside of our control, we only increase stress and rob ourselves of peace of mind. Worry offers no solutions; it merely heightens fear and takes away our ability to focus on the present moment.
Through poetry, we are reminded that while worry may feel inevitable at times, it should never take hold of our happiness. Poets often use their words to offer perspective, emphasizing that fretting over the unknown does nothing but weigh us down. In contrast, when we release our worries, we invite calmness and clarity. By letting go of anxiety, we open ourselves to positive possibilities and regain control over our thoughts. Poetry can lift us up, offering comfort and a reminder that some things are simply beyond our control, and that's okay. Instead of letting worry drain us, it becomes a moment to reflect, breathe, and trust that things will unfold in their own time.
Table of Contents
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Take It Easy
Poet: Unknown
Do not worry, do not fret,
Time will pass and we'll forget
All the problems of the present
In a future far more pleasant.
Grief will go and joy will come;
For you and I life's just begun.
A smile of joy, a sigh of bliss
To be sure we'll never miss
With our head held high,
And keep our eyes opened wide,
We'll go along, taking things in stride
And never let our courage die! -
Restless Heart
Poet: Edith Willis Linn
Dear restless heart, be still; don't fret and worry so;
God hath a thousand ways His love and help to show.
Just trust, and trust, and trust, until His will you know.
Dear restless heart, be still; for peace is God's own smile;
His love can every wrong and sorrow reconcile;
Just love, and love, and love, and calmly wait a while.
Dear restless heart, be brave; don't moan and sorrow so;
He hath a meaning kind in chilly winds that blow;
Just hope, and hope, and hope, until you braver grow.
Dear restless heart, be still; don't struggle to be free;
God's life is in your life, to Him you may not flee;
Just pray, and pray, and pray, till you have faith to see. -
Do Not Worry
Poet: Charles F. Deems
The world is wide
In time and tide.
And God is guide;
Then do not hurry.
That man is blest
Who does his best
And leaves the rest;
Then do not worry. -
Shouldn't Worry So
Poet: James Whitcomb Riley
O heart of mine, we shouldn't
Worry so!
What we've missed of calm,
We couldn't have you know!
What we've met of stormy pain,
And of sorrow's driving rain,
We can better meet again,
If it blow!
For we know, not every morrow can be sad;
So, forgetting all the sorrow
We have had,
Let us fold away our fears,
And put by our childish tears,
And through all the coming years,
Just be glad. -
What's The Use
Poet Unknown
What's the use of always fretting
At the trials we shall find
Ever strewn along our pathway —
Travel on, and never mind. - Reflect on the importance of trusting the process, recognizing that life’s challenges are temporary and don’t require constant control.
- Relying on faith, whether in a higher power or life’s natural balance, brings peace and the comfort of not carrying burdens alone.
- Choosing joy over worry encourages a shift from anxiety to gratitude, while letting go of fear helps you embrace resilience and courage.
- Accept life’s ups and downs with grace fosters calm and hope, reminding you that peace is always attainable through patience and perseverance.
-
The Captor Of Joy
Poet: Catherine Pulsifer
Worry, the captor of joy so dear,
Binds us tightly with unforgiving fear.
A thief that steals tomorrow's light,
Leaving today hidden in shadows, out of sight.
For it clings to our minds like a relentless tide,
Preventing happiness from walking by our side.
But as we embrace fretting over what may be,
We forget the sweet solace of living worry-free. -
Not Work, But Worry
Poet: Unknown
It is not the work, but the worry.
That wrinkles the smooth, fair face;
That blends gray hair with the dusky
And robs the form of its grace;
That dims the luster and sparkle
Of eyes that were once so bright.
But now are heavy and troubled,
With a weary, despondent light
It is not the work, but the worry,
That drives all sleep away;
As we toss and turn and wonder
About the cares of the day,
Do we think of the hands' hard labor
Or the steps of the tired feet?
Ah, no! but we plan and ponder
How both ends can be made to meet.
It is not the work, but the worry,
That makes us sober and sad;
That makes us narrow and sordid
When we should be merry and glad.
There's a shadow before the sunlight,
And even a cloud in the blue;
The scent of the roses is tainted,
The notes of the song are untrue.
It is not the work, but the worry,
That makes the world grow old;
That numbers the years of its children
Ere half the story is told;
That weakens their faith in Heaven
And the wisdom of God's great plan.
Ah, 'tis not the work, but the worry,
That breaks the heart of man! -
He Is Rich
by Ralph Waldo Emerson
He only is rich who owns the day;
And no one owns the day who
Allows it to be invaded with
Worry and fret and anxiety. -
In Worry's Grasp
Poet: Catherine Pulsifer
In worry's grasp, stress takes root,
Anxiety thrives, a poisonous shoot.
The burden heavy, the mind conforms,
Neglecting health in these worrisome storms.
Each breath tainted by endless strife,
Marring wellness throughout the life.
No solace found in worry's intrusion,
Seek balance instead, free from illusion. -
Worry
Poet: C. E. Lund
We may as well attempt to remove
The spots from off the sun,
Or change the flow of ocean's tide,
And stop its daily run,
As worry over what is past,
Or what is not begun. -
Never Happens
by Sir John Lubbock
We often distress ourselves greatly in the
apprehension of misfortune which
after all never happens at all.
We should do our best, and wait calmly the result,
We often hear of people breaking down from overwork;
but in nine cases out of ten they are really
suffering from worry or anxiety. -
The Empty Lives
Poet: Unknown
So many die that have not lived at all;
It is as though they journeyed through the years
Upon a path hedged by a gloomy wall
Of other people's little frets and fears.
Beyond the wall the joyous fields stretch out
And there are little paths to lure the feet,
But duty framed by others of their doubt
Has made them feel the by-paths are not meet.
To spend their days with friends they did not choose;
They toil at tasks unfitted for their hands;
They join the chorus of them that abuse
The one who lives — because he understands;
They sing the songs the others bid them sing.
While in their souls are stifled marvel strains;
They build and they destroy, they fetch and bring;
They fume of petty losses and of gains.
They count as truth the rote that they are told.
They spurn as lies whatever they are bid;
They ban as heretic the overbold
The one who would uncover what is hid,
And they succeed — they say they have success
And call another careless, blind, and weak
Who finds the joy they may not even guess,
Who reaches goals they may not even
What if some dazzling outburst of the light
Should show them how supremely far they miss
The core of life, the lasting truth and right?
But Fate is kind, and does not deal them this.
It is as though they plodded through dead years
Upon a path hedged by a barren wall
Of other people's little frets and fears —
So many die, and have not lived at all. - Worry robs us of joy, making it harder to live fully in the present.
- It’s often not the tasks themselves but the mental strain of worry that wears us down and harms our health.
- True peace and wealth come from owning each day, free from anxiety, and most worries never even come true.
- By clinging to fear or societal pressures, we risk leading empty, unfulfilled lives.
- Letting go of unnecessary worry allows us to embrace balance, protect our well-being, and live authentically, guided by inner peace rather than fear.
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He Knoweth Your Need
Poet: S. B. McManus
I would not worry, if I were you;
The days will come, and the days will go,
And anon the sky will be gray or blue,
And the earth be covered with flowers or snow,
The sun will shine or the rain will fall,
But God stands over and under all.
Some days will be dark, with scarcely a sign
That God ever gave you a loving thought;
And his face will be hid with his love benign,
And your soul lie prone with a flght ill fought;
And life will seem empty of every joy —
A worthless bauble, a broken toy.
But I would not worry, if I were you;
It will all come right, pretty soon, depend;
The rain will cease and the sky grow blue,
And God to your heart will kindly send
His message of love — and by and by
You will wonder why you should be sad and cry.
Bide close to the Father, let come what may;
Reach out for his hand in rain or shine:
He will turn your night into sweetest day
And share his bounty of love divine.
He never forgets for a single day;
Why need, then, to fret and worry alway? -
Somehow Or Other
Poet: Unknown
Life has a burden for every man's shoulder,
None may escape from its trouble and care;
Miss it in youth and 'twill come when we're older,
And fit us as close as the garments we wear.
Sorrow comes into our lives uninvited,
Robbing our hearts of their treasures of song;
Lovers grow cold, and friendships are slighted,
Yet somehow or other we worry along.
Every-day toil is an every-day blessing,
Though poverty's cottage and crust we may share;
Weak is the back on which burdens are pressing,
But stout is the heart that is strengthened by prayer.
Somehow or other the pathway grows brighter
Just when we mourn there were none to befriend;
Hope in the heart makes the burdens seem lighter,
And somehow or other we get to the end. -
Do Not Look For Troubler
Poet: Mark Gut Pearse
Do not trouble trouble
Till trouble troubles you.
Do not look for trouble;
Let trouble look for you.
Do not borrow sorrow;
You'll surely have your share.
He who dreams of sorrow
Will find that sorrow's there.
Do not hurry worry
By worrying lest it come.
To flurry is to worry;
'Twill miss you if you're mum.
If care you've got to carry,
Wait till it's at the door;
For he who runs to meet it
Takes up the load before.
If minding- will not mend it,
Then better not to mind;
The best thing- is to end it —
Just leave it all behind.
Who feareth hath forsaken
The heavenly Father's side;
What He hath undertaken
He surely will provide.
The very birds reprove thee,
With all their happy song;
The very flowers teach thee,
That fretting is a wrong.
"Cheer up!" the sparrow chirpeth;
"Thy Father feedeth me;
Think how much more he careth,
O lonely child, for thee!"
"Fear not," the flowers whisper;
"Since thus he hath arrayed
The buttercups and daisy,
How canst thou be afraid?"
Then do not trouble trouble
Till trouble troubles you;
You'll only trouble trouble,
And trouble others, too. -
The End Will Tell
Poet: B. L. Austin
What if you've made mistakes in life?
Don't hang your head in sorrow,
But profit by the lesson learned,
And better make tomorrow.
There's no one who can boast of none,
Philosopher or prophet.
All you can do is to do your best;
When you see you're wrong, then stop it.
If you should find you're in a fault,
And the devil keeps a grinding,
Just shake him off and fix it up,
And thank God for the finding.
When others think they see your faults,
Your soul enough to sink it,
And you are sure you're in the right,
Keep still and let them think it.
Keep close to Jesus; let him break
Each selfish band asunder.
Some day the battle you will win
While they look on with wonder.
The battle is the Lord's, not yours;
Then give him all the glory.
Stand firm as steel and do not fear;
He'll win it- — don't you worry.
So trudge along though none may know
Your worth or give you glory;
To start out brisk don't win the race;
The end will tell the story. - Trust in divine timing, reminding us that brighter days will come, even through hardships.
- Be resilient, burdens can be lightened by hope and faith, while also warning against inviting unnecessary trouble by worrying about what hasn't happened.
- Mistakes are opportunities for growth, not reasons to despair, and the final truth of our efforts will be revealed in time.
- Have patience, trust, and belief that life’s burdens can be carried with grace, without the weight of constant worry.
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A Sovereign Remedy
Poet: John Kendrick Bangs
When, tossing on my couch at night,
Old Worry comes my rest to ruin,
I stare at him with all my might
And tell him that "There's nothin' doin'."
"I'm very busy now," I say.
"To put you off fills me with sorrow;
But you must come some other day
Say ten o'clock, perhaps, tomorrow?"
I find that by this style of chaffing
It isn't long before I'm laughing
And when he sees my smiling lips
Why then, of course, old Worry skips. -
What’s the Use of Always Fretting
Poet: Catherine Pulsifer
What’s the use of always fretting,
Over things not worth the sweating?
Worry’s like a rocking chair,
It moves a lot, but gets nowhere!
If the sky should fall today,
Would stressing chase the clouds away?
No need to fret, no need to fear,
Just grab some coffee, and chill, my dear! - Embrace humor as a coping mechanism, allowing you to face anxiety with a smile.
- Recognize the futility of worry encourages a focus on constructive actions rather than unproductive stress.
- Taking breaks to enjoy simple pleasures serves as a vital reminder to prevent stress from taking over your life.
- Shift your perspective to respond to worry with lightheartedness fosters a more positive mindset, making challenges feel less daunting.
- Ultimately, learning to laugh at worries builds resilience, helping you adapt more effectively to life's challenges.
Poems About Letting Go of Worry and Finding Peace
These poems encourage releasing worry and embracing a peaceful mindset.
A Life Well Lived Poem
Key Reflections on these poems about letting go of worry and finding peace:
Related: Poems About Anxiety
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Poems on The Burden of Worry
Poems in this section reflect on the heavy emotional toll that worry can take.
Poems About Work
Key Reflections on these poems on the burden of worry:
Related: Poems About Stress
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Worry and Faith Poems
Here you'll find poems that intertwine themes of faith and trusting in a higher power to overcome worry.
Poems About God
Poems About Trouble
Key Reflections on these worry and faith poems:
Related: Christian Poems
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Poems Offering Humorous Takes on Worry
This section includes lighthearted poems that provide a humorous perspective on worrying.
Funny Poems About Life
Key Reflections on these poems offering humorous takes on worry:
Related: Funny Poems
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One last thought on the topic of worry:
Thoughts On Worry
Find insightful observations that highlight the futility of many common worries, offering a thoughtful breakdown of the types of worries that frequently consume us.Worry Table
by Author Unknown
Some careful observers of life has constructed a "Worry- Table." They have classified various types of worries, and through considerable research has determined which are the most popular among the large number of professional worriers:
1. Worry about disasters which, as later events proved, never happened — 40 percent.
2. Worry about decisions in the past that cannot be recalled or remedied — 30 percent.
2. Worry about possible sickness that never came — 12 percent.
4. Worries about children and friends — 10 percent.
5. Worries that have real foundation — 8 percent.
Related: Worry Quotes
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Frequently Asked Questions
Find questions and answers asked by our readers.
- Why do poets write about worry?
Poets often write about worry because it is a universal human experience. Worry, anxiety, and stress are emotions that most people can relate to, and poetry allows writers to explore these feelings in creative and reflective ways. Through poems, readers can find comfort, understanding, or even humor in dealing with their own worries.- Can poems about worry help reduce stress?
Yes, reading poems about worry can help reduce stress. Poetry can offer a fresh perspective on anxiety, making readers feel less alone in their struggles. Some poems provide comforting advice, while others might make light of worrying, encouraging readers to let go of stress and focus on the positive.- Why are humorous poems about worry popular?
Humorous poems about worry are popular because they provide a lighthearted perspective on a heavy topic. By using humor, these poems remind readers not to take life too seriously and encourage them to laugh at their concerns. Humor is a powerful tool for stress relief and making life's challenges seem more manageable.
- Can I use poems about worry for self-reflection?
Yes, poems about worry are great for self-reflection. They often delve into the nature of anxiety, fear, and the human tendency to overthink. By reading or writing poems about worry, individuals can gain insight into their own worries and discover new ways to cope with them.- Are there any copyright restrictions on these poems?
Yes, all of our poems are copyrighted. However, if you wish to use one of our poems for personal use you have our permission and they are free to use. However, if the poems are for commercial use please contact us for guidelines and permission.- Can I submit a poem about worry to be published:
Yes, see our submission guidelines, how to submit, and the review process on our submit a poem page.
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Related:
Bible Verses about Anxiety and Fear
Just For Today Poems
Desiderata Poem
Trust In God Poems
Worry Less Smile More
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