As a child, I worried about making friends at school. As a college student, I worried about getting work after graduation. Today, I worry about the health of my parents and if my books will sell.
What do you worry about? Take a moment and make a mental list. Some of your worries may be similar to mine.
Jesus told us “not to worry about everyday life” (Matthew 6:25) and said there are two good reasons why. One reason is practical: When we worry, we waste energy on something that may never happen. Notice how many of your worries relate to the future—that you’ll be jobless, never get married, or your project will fail. The fact is, most things we worry about won’t come to fruition, and fretting won’t make an ounce of difference in those that do. “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” Jesus asked (Matthew 6:27). They can’t. “So don’t worry about tomorrow,” He said. “Today’s trouble is enough for today” (Matthew 6:34).
The other reason is theological: Worry denies that God will provide for our needs through His power and goodness. Jesus said that His Father “cares so wonderfully” for all creation, including us! (Matthew 6:30). And He also “knows all [our] needs” and will give us “everything [we] need” (Matthew 6:32-33).
To make His point, Jesus provided a guided meditation on the natural world. “Look at the birds,” He said. Look how God “feeds” them (Matthew 6:26). “Look at the lilies of the field,” He adds. Look how beautifully clothed they are (Matthew 6:28-29). God is active right now, providing for creation. If He tenderly looks after birds and flowers, won’t He look after you, His child?
May we trust God with today’s needs and challenges. For He’s real and He’s there, and far greater than our phantom worries.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Colossians 2:1-15
More:
Read Philippians 4:6 and consider what Paul instructs us to do with our worries.
Next:
How many of your worries concern the future? What do God’s power and presence provide as you seek to trust in Him instead of worrying about what might happen?
Gary Shultz on December 5, 2015 at 6:30 am
As much as I would like to think I do not worry, I do. I think it good to be concerned, but not an over riding sense of fearfulness. Anyone alive today has reasons to worry; however, God has instructed us not to worry. To me it seems then to become a matter of faith. We can join in prayer for some real concerns, but we must let the outcome and future to God, the one who knows what the future holds and has planned for it. Thanks, have a wonderful Christmas.
jim spillane on December 5, 2015 at 12:17 pm
As we have read, worry seems to show a lack of trust in our Almighty Father, a doubt that He is still in control. I feel that there might be a difference between worry and concern. I think that worry is concern on steroids, it can actually make us anxious and irritable, and has all kinds of negative implications (fear?). Many of us want to be in such control of our own lives, that anything that may hint of being out of our control is tough to handle. Perhaps the sin of pride makes us feel that way? We either refuse, or don’t fully allow our Almighty Father to take the reins of our lives, like He wants us to. The future is really in His hands, not ours. Thanx for letting me share.
Winn Collier on December 5, 2015 at 5:26 pm
I think there is a difference. There’s no call to ignore troubles (that would be denial) but rather not to surrender to fear or anxiety, as if our well-being depends on us
Winn Collier on December 5, 2015 at 5:25 pm
good word, Sheridan. Worry really eats away at our life. Thanks for calling us to more.