Kids Daily Devotional
Worry Can't Add a Minute
August 17, 2026
Listen
Read
Matthew 6:27 "Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
Think
Let's try something. Right now, worry as hard as you can that you will grow one inch taller by tonight. Really scrunch up your face and worry about it.
Did it work? Did you grow? Of course not. You cannot worry yourself taller. You cannot worry yourself faster. Worrying does not actually add anything good to your day.
That is exactly what Jesus was saying. He asked the crowd a question they could not answer. “Can worrying add a single hour to your life?” Nope. Not one minute.
Think about that. Worry feels like it is doing something. When your mind spins and spins about a test, or about who you will sit with at lunch, it feels busy and important. But it does not fix anything. It just makes your stomach hurt and steals your happy.
Imagine you had a bucket, and every time you worried, you poured a cup of water into it. By the end of the day the bucket would be heavy and full, but the water would not help you one bit. You would just be carrying around a heavy bucket for no reason.
God does not want you carrying that heavy bucket. When Jesus said worry cannot add a single hour, he was not fussing at you. He was setting you free. He was saying, “You do not have to carry this. Give it to me instead.”
So what do you do with a worry? You hand it to God. You can say it out loud, or you can say it quietly in your heart. God, I am worried about this test. God, I am scared to talk to that kid. He hears you. Every word.
You were not made to carry heavy buckets of worry all day long. You were made to walk light and free, holding your Father's hand.
Apply
Name it and hand it over – Think of one thing you are worried about right now. Say it to God out loud, then imagine setting a heavy bucket down at his feet. He can carry it better than you can.
Pray
God, I am tired of carrying my worries. They are too heavy and they do not help. Right now I give them to you. Please carry them for me so I can walk light and free. In Jesus' name. Amen.