“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t there more to life than food and more to the body than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky: They do not sow, or reap, or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you more valuable than they are? And which of you by worrying can add even one hour to his life? Why do you worry about clothing? Think about how the flowers of the field grow; they do not work or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these! And if this is how God clothes the wild grass, which is here today and tomorrow is tossed into the fire to heat the oven, won’t he clothe you even more, you people of little faith? So then, don’t worry saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For the unconverted pursue these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.” —Matthew 6:25–34
Worry, fret, anxiety, a troubled spirit, or a disquieted heart—none are proper for a child of the King. Simply put, Christians are not to worry!
When we worry, 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. We worry when we are overly concerned about getting what we think we want. Sometimes our “wanting” may simply need to be fixed! What each and one of us really desires, whether we know it or not, is to be smack dab in the center of God’s perfect and pleasing will!
Anxiety takes our eyes off the Provider, Jesus, and places them on our 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. Jesus is earnest in warning us against worry because it is so distracting, distrustful, and a waste of our energies. Jesus desired for His followers not to be torn apart in their minds and spirits.
Paul echoes Jesus’ teaching in Philippians:
“Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 4:6–7
It is God’s delight for us to dwell at ease in Him. He gives His children exactly what we need! God is faithful and loving, satisfying our desires with good things. When we fret over our circumstances, we question God’s goodness and faithfulness. The Psalmist proclaims:
“You open your hand, and fill every living thing with the food they desire.” —Psalm 145:16
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. What Jesus did teach His disciples is that our relationship with God is to be the dominating focus of our lives. We are to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. We are to be cautiously carefree regarding everything else in comparison to that. It is a matter of priorities.
Paul tells us in Colossians:
“Whatever you are doing, work at it with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not for people, because you know that you will receive your inheritance from the Lord as the reward. Serve the Lord Christ.” —Colossians 3:23–24
Become More
“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
Further Reflections
“There is unwavering peace today when an uncertain tomorrow is trusted to an unchanging God.” —Ann Voskamp
“All worry is a desperate wanting of my own way.” —Ann Voskamp
“Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.” —Charles Spurgeon