No Worries!

Recently I noticed I keep running into a particular Bible passage frequently. It seems that almost every time I read my devotional or any Christian book, inevitably it refers to or asks me to read Matthew 6:25-34. At first I was getting annoyed, I mean the Bible is a large book; surely there is something new or different for me to read in it. I felt like I really knew that passage and wanted to learn something different. Then God reminded me this is an area in which I really struggle. These are the verses that Jesus tells us not to worry because God will take care of us. He also reminds us that worrying doesn’t add a minute to our lives. I am a champion worrier. I think I almost comfort myself with worry. I feel like I can prepare myself for the worst possible outcome through worry. Sometimes I feel if I worry enough whatever “it” is won’t happen. After all most of life’s major crises take us by surprise. When my oldest daughter, Ashley, was born, I used to worry about all the things that could go wrong. I even at one point was concerned that a snake could crawl through our doggy door and eat her (I never claimed to be a rational worrier, I saw a dog about her size eaten by a snake on a television show), but autism never crossed my mind. Then suddenly there it was taking Ashley from us. I can honestly say all my hours of worry have never really prepared me, comforted me, or helped me in any way. But God has often prepared me, comforted me, and helped me. I cannot even begin to count the times he has blessed me and taken care of me in both the good times and bad times of my life. When I read that passage, I absolutely believe it. Although I know that passage and believe it, I wasn’t applying it to my life. Why would God give me a different concept, when I can’t even apply one I really know? I am making a conscious effort to remember this passage and apply it to my life now. Then maybe I will be confronted with a new passage to learn. Matthew 6:25-34: 25 “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? 26 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? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 28 “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, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 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? 31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God[a] above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. Originally posted March 2011