"To me faith means not worrying"

John Dewey’s insight, "To me faith means not worrying", invites consideration of the relationship between faith and the human experience of uncertainty. At first glance, faith is often linked to religious belief or allegiance to a doctrine, but Dewey implies something more expansive and practical: faith as a disposition of mind, a quality of trust in life and the unfolding of events. By equating faith with the absence of worry, Dewey emphasizes a state of inner assurance, grounded not in dogmatic certainty but in a cultivated confidence that things will ultimately work out or become understandable.

Worry typically springs from a sense of helplessness, fear of unknown outcomes, or lack of control. It is fueled by a persistent need to predict or guarantee the future. Dewey’s definition of faith pushes against this compulsion, suggesting that genuine faith dissolves the repetitive cycles of concern and doubt. This does not mean ignoring challenges or risks, but rather holding a basic trust that, come what may, one possesses the resources, emotional, intellectual, and communal, to respond appropriately.

Underlying Dewey’s statement is a pragmatic philosophy that values experiential learning and adaptation. Faith, in this sense, is not blind acceptance, but an attitude of hopeful engagement. It enables individuals to take action and make decisions without being paralyzed by what-ifs or anxieties. Rather than demanding infallible outcomes, faith is a resilient openness to the unfolding process of life, acknowledging that much will remain uncertain but trusting in one’s ability to meet whatever arises.

Thus, faith becomes a liberating force, unburdening the mind from relentless speculation about outcomes. It allows one to live more fully in the present, to love, create, and strive without being shadowed by dread. In Dewey’s interpretation, letting go of worry is not naïve, but courageous, and essential for genuine freedom and fulfillment.