Arthur Somers Roche said, “Worry is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained.”
We define worry as: “a state of anxiety and uncertainty over actual or potential problems.”
Anxious, uncertain, concerned. Does that sound familiar? I find it funny that the definition includes not only actual problems, but potential ones! Anxiety can easily get the best of you, and it’s overwhelming. I’d like to take a look at Matthew 6:25-34 and see what Jesus has to say.
“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to Him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
Jesus uses two examples to show how creation is cared for: birds and flowers. Both are fragile and short lived, but they are still taken care of. The birds are fed and the wildflowers grow beautifully, only to be here for a short time. Why are we worried, when we are more valuable to Him?
Verse 27 stands out to me, “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” We know that worrying doesn’t help a thing, but it seems to difficult to manage. But, why? He’s got us.
In verse 32, Jesus says: “These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.” We shouldn’t let our anxieties control us, because we have Him on our side. We should know, that He knows!
He continues to say in verse 33 that if we focus our energy on His church, His family and align our moral standard with His, He will take care of us.
It’s interesting how we can relax on a plane, but not know the pilot. We step onto a plane with the confidence that the pilot knows what he is doing. The pilot will fly you safely to your destination. Why can’t we relax in life knowing that God is in control? He’s here for you, He loves you and wants you to know that you’re taken care of. It really is a comforting thought, as He is the source of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3). Go to Him with your concerns and once you do, let them go.
We often sing “Bring Christ Your Broken Life” and it serves as a great reminder:
“Bring Him your every care, if great or small. Whatever troubles you – oh, bring it all. Bring Him the haunting fears, the nameless dread. Your heart He will relieve, and lift up your head.”