Don’t Worry!
- Jul 19, 2024
- 5 min read
Scot McKnight: “These are words for radicals about a radical lifestyle of trusting God for the ordinaries of life while devoting oneself unreservedly toward the kingdom mission.”
In verse 25 Jesus says, I TELL YOU – don’t worry. Jesus isn’t giving us a suggestion. He doesn’t say, “Well, if you want my advice, it might be a good idea not to worry!” No! In the original Greek, this is a strong command! Do not worry!
Survey of Top Ten Worries (in no particular order):- Job security; Rent/mortgage payment; Health; Overall fitness; Financial future; Growing old; Climate change; Overweight; Relationships; Loneliness.
Ever wondered how much time is spent worrying? Apparently, each week, we
can spend on average 14.30 hours worrying!
The citizens of the Kingdom are called to put God first in their actions, thought-life and priorities: “Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions”( v33, MSG Bible).
The first thing that Jesus says is that worry is Useless.
Verse 25 says, “Is not life more important than food and the body more important than clothes?” In other words, God has already given you the two earthly treasures that are more valuable than anything else! He’s given you life! And He’s given you a body! Since God has already given you the most important stuff, how futile it is to worry about the lesser stuff.
Jesus' point is this - if God can give life, how much more is He able to give what sustains that life. The biblical word for worry here is 'merimna-o'. It is a compound of two Greek words: merizo (to divide) and nous (the mind). Worry divides the mind on the now and the not yet. It drains us of the energy God has given us to face the day and to fulfil our responsibilities.
Then in verses 26 and 28, Jesus gives two illustrations of why worrying is useless. He says “look at the birds" and “look at the flowers of the field!" Here’s the point: "Are you not much more valuable than they?" (v26).
The second thing Jesus says is that worrying is Unproductive.
Worry doesn't work. It’s like being on a rocking horse: plenty of activity but not getting anywhere. Worry doesn’t change yesterday. It can’t affect tomorrow. It just makes us miserable today.
Jesus says, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” (v27).
A leading physician has said, “70% of all medical patients could release themselves if only they got rid of their worries and fears. You can link worry to heart trouble, blood pressure problems, ulcers, migraines, and a host of stomach disorders.”
Jesus says worry is USELESS, UNPRODUCTIVE and worry makes faith UNIMPORTANT!
When we worry, we make our faith appear unimportant! We put faith in our own efforts rather than in God’s awesome power. We fail to trust Him.
"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, you of little faith?" (v30).
Don’t you trust me more than that? In other words, “what makes you think He can’t take care of you?”
If the focus of our life is on only the things in this life - food, finances and fashion - we have a faith problem. Our focus has changed.
Worry, then, becomes a sign of faithlessness. It shows we lack confidence in God's care and providence. It shows that things are out of perspective.
Macarthur says, “If there is a single, central message in Jesus' words, it is that the basis of comfort is simple, trusting faith. If you're discontent, worried, anxious, bewildered, perplexed, confused, agitated, or otherwise in need of comfort, the reason is that you don't trust Him like you should. “
Worry can’t be conquered by right thinking. It’s conquered by faith.
It's UNREALISTIC not to ask or expect your heavenly Father to care!
When we worry, we deprive self of that intimate connection with God.
Refocus your faith (v32) - Your heavenly Father knows!
Don't focus on your problems; focus on your provider - Father God.
It’s easy to put God on the back burner by thinking, “I don’t have time to go to church. I’m just too busy!” Guess what? When you’re too busy for God, you are busier than God intends you to be. Busyness, worry, keep your focus off Him. It’s simply a matter of coming to Christ and putting your life in His hands. Trust Him today!
Worry displaces Father God in your life. When you worry, you’re living as though God did not exist. You’re probably thinking, what am I going to do instead of worrying? I’m glad you mentioned it! My Grandma often asked me, "what am I supposed to be worrying about now?"
Reset Your Priorities (v33) - Seek First the Kingdom
We are to fix our gaze on the Father's kingdom with all the energy that was previously spent worrying. “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well” (v33).
“Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, (and) God-provisions” (v33, MSG Bible).
We’re the Church of the living God. We are a people moving and active, called by Jesus to make an impact on our world. Seek first His kingdom. You see, His kingdom is one of Spirit and of Life. Simply, don't rely on your worries, worry about what you’re not relying on.
PAUSE for a moment.
If you want to worry, worry about your relationship with the Father. How close are you to Him?
Jesus ends this passage by giving us the final key. Therefore!
In other words, live one day at a time. It’s as if Jesus is saying, Don’t forget! Don’t forget who you are in Christ; don’t forget you have a Father in heaven. He's already brought you from, death – life, darkness – light; down – raised up.
Corrie ten Boom: "Worrying is carrying tomorrow's load with today’s strength, carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength."
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Philippians 4:6).
We should bring all of our needs and concerns to God rather than worry about them.
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7).
No worry is too big or too small for His attention. When we give God our problems, He promises to give us His peace beyond understanding.
I’ve read that along the rural paths in India, there are shoulder-high posts with a shelf on top. They call these posts a ‘Soma Tonga’, which means “resting place.” Travellers on foot often carry heavy loads, when they come across one of these posts, they place their heavy loads on the shelf to rest. When Christianity spread to India, the new converts started calling Jesus, “My Soma Tonga.” Jesus was the one who gave them rest, who shared their load, gave them strength.
"And all these things will be given you" (v33). This phrase is taken from the market place where things were sold by measure. The seller would add an extra measure to ensure the customer had more than enough. The same picture is given in Luke 6:38: "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
Jesus says that you’ll have His kingdom, and for good measure, everything else needed for life.
Tim Keller: “Worry is looking out at the world and being afraid that God isn’t going to get it right…You’re filled with anxiety because you think life is up to you. You’re trying to take the place of God, but you are unqualified for the job. And anyone who is in a job they are unqualified for, feels really weird.”
I have been so encouraged diving into ‘Don’t Worry”, it has brought confirmations to prayers I have had about worries, and particularly when it emerges at. Point in the day that the issue started. I have always been self and with let downs in life that has strengthened areas of mistrust, I have pondered over this and had many conversations with the Lord. I had visualised being in God’s camp but seeing a foot moving to the part of needing to move a little to my camp, it did not feel right or comfortable. I want a heart fully for Jesus and reading this and the thought of displacing Jesus in my life hurts. Time to change my mindse…