In a recent TV interview, the nuclear threats posed by Iran were being discussed, along with the increased tensions this produced on their relationship with the USA and the rest of the world. The interviewer asked his guest, “How worried should we be?” His answer was, “I think we should be very worried!” So, I begin to worry! And what does that change? Nothing.
In Jesus’ teaching to a crowd of people, he talked about the futility of worry. “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” he asked. (Matthew 6:27) “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?” (v:26)
Jesus then gave them a more effective response to worry.
1. “Just don’t worry!” he said. (v:31) Worry is an exercise that accomplishes nothing except to get a person all worked up and stressed out. By worrying we cannot solve one problem. It’s futile.
2. Worry is what people do who do not have a loving heavenly Father. “Do you not think that your heavenly Father is fully aware of your basic needs in life, and that He is able to provide for each one?” Jesus asked them. (v:32)
3. Rather, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (v:33) Jesus was telling them to keep God center and learn to live one day at a time and your tendencies to worry will fade away. Worry is rarely an issue with those who keep focused on Him.
4. Jesus then iced the cake with this statement, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (v:34)
Worry discounts God’s sovereignty. It causes us to live like he doesn’t exist. It repudiates every promise He has made that was given to us so we might have “everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him.” (II Peter 1:3)
Chuck Swindoll offers us an alternative example. Any time he was inclined to fret about anything he said he would quickly revert to his predetermined stance on worry, “…to transfer this habit of worry into an instant moment of prayer and leave it with God.”
Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)
“Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.” (Philippians 4:6-7 CEV)
Be blessed my friend.
Glen (Pitts)
The Barnabas Group (Loads of Love)
II Peter 1:1-11; Psalm 33; Psalm 27
