OVERCOME WORRY BY GOD’S WORD

"Therefore I say to you, DO NOT WORRY about your life..." – Matthew 6:25a

Our Lord Jesus Christ clearly addressed how to OVERCOME WORRY BY HIS WORD: "Therefore I say to you, DO NOT WORRY about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” (Mt.6: 25). Here, the Lord commanded His disciples to not worry about their needs. Writing to the Philippians, Paul reaffirmed this: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Phi.4:6).

Believers should not be consumed with worry about their needs, but count on God’s provisions. Concern helps us to be diligent and prudent, but worry is unhelpful! Paul was concerned for the welfare of the churches (2 Cor.11:28). We should be concerned about our spiritual lives and that of others, but not worry. Worry is rooted in lack of trust in God. Christ said the disciples had “little faith” (v. 30). Moreover, WORRY is SIN! It denies the Wisdom of God; it says that God doesn’t know what He’s doing. It denies the love of God; it says He does not care. And it denies the Power of God; it says that He isn’t able to deliver us from whatever is causing us to worry. To overcome worry we must:

Focus on Eternal Matters instead of Temporary concerns: "Therefore I say to you, DO NOT WORRY about your life..." (v.25). “Therefore” points back to verses 19-24, where Christ called the disciples to store up treasures in heaven instead of on the earth. We’re called to focus on eternal matters instead of temporary affairs: “Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” (v.25b). Living only for basic needs is debasing oneself to being like animals. Life is not all about serving the body. Unbelievers worry about these things (v.32). They live in a constant rat race for mundane desires. Believers are citizens, not only of earth, but of heaven, with higher ideals (v.33; Col. 3:1-4).

Focus on our Father’s Providential Care. We can trust Him Who feeds the birds in the sky, clothes the flowers of the field, and provides for the grass (vv.28-30). God is intricately involved in all aspects of creation. Christ sustains all things by His Word (Heb.1:3). Life, breath, and all else are totally dependent upon Him (Acts 17:25). Though birds gather their food, God is involved in their hunt for it. Therefore, Christ’s command to not worry should not be an excuse for laziness. We should work and work hard as unto the Lord (Col.3:23; 2The.3:10).

Recognize our Great Value to God: We are more valuable than other parts of creation – birds, flowers, or grass (v.26). We were made and recreated in God’s Image (Gen.1:26; 2Cor.3:18). Believers are sons of God – co-heirs with Christ (Rom.8:17). Sometimes we worry because we lack our wants. God promises to provide our needs, not wants (Phi.4:19). A great cause of worry happens because we don’t understand our immense value to God (Rom.8: 3-32). If God gave His best for us – His Son – how will He not also provide everything else we need?

Recognize how unproductive Worry is: “And which of you by worrying can add even one hour to his life?” (v.27). Worry will not make one live longer. It might even shorten life!  Worry has no benefit physically, mentally or spiritually (Pro.12:25). To worry is to say that God and his Word are untrustworthy, and therefore, Scripture will not profit us.

Pursue God’s Promises (vv.31-33). If we make God’s Kingdom and righteousness our top priority, all our needs will be met! Seeking His righteousness includes conquering sin, replacing it with righteous acts and attitudes, pursuing the fruit of the spirit, serving other believers and humanity, engaging in social justice and righteous ethics in society. Let’s also God’s promise of peace (Isa.26:3; Phil.4:6-7).

Focus on God’s Grace for Today: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow…” (v.34). Amidst life’s troubles, God promises to give us grace for the day. His compassions are new every morning (Lam.3: 22-23).