25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matt 6:25-34 (NIV)

Worry, fretting, anxious ridden, tumultuous thoughts, troubled in spirit, disquieted heart and mind – none are proper for a child of the King. Simply put, Christians are not to worry. When we succumb, it demonstrates to the world our lack of faith, our loss of joy and our inability to appreciate what the hand of God has provided today for worrying that He may not tomorrow. We worry when we are overly concerned about getting what we think we want. Sometimes our “wanters” may simply need to be fixed! What every child of the King really desires – whether they know it or not – is to be smack dab in the center of God’s perfect and pleasing will – mature and fully assured.

“All worry is a desperate wanting of my own way.” Ann Voskamp

Anxiousness takes our eyes off the Substance, the Provider, the Power - Jesus - and places them on the shadow – our own frail weaknesses and inabilities. God takes pleasure in those who hope in His goodness and mercy. Worry is quite pointless unless of course we enjoy ulcers and high blood pressure. There is scarcely any one sin of which our Lord is more earnest in warning us against than worry because it is so distracting and distrustful as well as such a waste of our energies. Jesus desired for His followers not to be torn apart in their minds and spirits. Paul echoes our Lord’s sentiments in Philippians citing prayer and thanksgiving as the antidotes for the poison of the sin of worry both of which bring us an unearthly peace and joy:

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7 (NIV)

“Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.” Charles Spurgeon

It is God’s delight for our souls to dwell at ease in Him Who gives to His children exactly what they need. God is faithful and loving towards all He has made, satisfying our desires with good things. When we fret over our circumstances we question God’s goodness and faithfulness. Indeed, the Psalmist rightly proclaims:

16 You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. Psalms 145:16 (NIV)

We must note as well that Jesus did not say the person who takes no thought of anything for his life will be blessed. One that merely sits at home and does not work with his mouth open to be fed is nothing but a fool. The bird perched not seeking his worm starves. Paul tells us in Colossians we are to work as unto the Lord with all our hearts:

23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Col 3:23-24 (NIV)

What our Lord did teach His disciples is that our relationship with God is to be the dominating focus of our lives – seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness - and we are to be cautiously carefree regarding everything else in comparison to that. It is a matter of priorities. When we are consumed with fret over our circumstances – whatever they may be – that is wrongly taking over the priority of our lives and we must nip it.

“Jesus Christ knows our circumstances better than we do, and He says we must not think about these things to the point where they become the primary concern of our life. Whenever there are competing concerns in your life, be sure you always put your relationship to God first.” Oswald Chambers

"There is unwavering peace today when an uncertain tomorrow is trusted to an unchanging God." Ann Voskamp

What I Glean

  • Worrying does nothing but brings me harm.
  • Worry places my eyes on my inabilities rather than on God’s abilities.
  • Whatever I do, I am to work at it with all my heart and leave the results in God’s capable Hand.
Previous