Matthew 6:25-34
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
Do Not Worry
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 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? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[a]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
What more really needs to be said? Jesus makes it very clear that we should not worry about anything. What do you worry about?
My worries:
1. I worry about my family. I must admit it, if I don’t hear from them when I think I should I fear something has happened to them. At that time when worry begins to creep in, I pray. I recognize my worry will not solve any problem they may be encountering and I simply ask the Lord to take care of them. When I do hear from them it is really nothing, my husband got to visiting, my girls went out to eat, they went to a movie, the phone was not charged, etc. So, why did I worry?
2. I worry about what I did wrong. I second guess myself when things don’t turn out the way that I think they should have. Then I remember Romans 8:28 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,[a] who[b] have been called according to his purpose. (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208:28&version=NIV1984) If I truly live by faith, I know that He is in control and is taking care of matters.
3. At times I worry about my purpose in life. I struggle that I am not working, not so much because of the money but because I seem to have no purpose, no drive, and my identity has disappeared. Ephesians 5:15 -20 15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%205:%2015%20-%2020&version=NIV1984) Again, my purpose it to serve Him, to glorify Him, to honor Him there is nothing more to life than that.
I don’t really worry that much about clothes. In fact, my girls think I should be on “What Not to Wear”! I did however find myself becoming anxious at the beginning of the school year because I wanted to shop for clothes like I always do prior to school starting. There was void there that I would not have ever thought would have been there. My biggest worry about food is what I am going to fix for the evening meal. God has blessed us and provided for us in so many ways.
So many times we fanaticize about things that will never happen and the same is true with worry. Worry only causes undo stress that none of us need. Proverb 12:25, 25 An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up. (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2012:25&version=NIV1984 time you are stressed or see someone in distress take the advice of Solomon and give a kind word. A kind word will cheer the listener and the speaker. As always, take the advice of our Lord Jesus Christ and seek Him, look at His promises, and know that He is taking care of you. )Next
Seeking Him with all my heart,
Sheila
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