21-Day Growth Challenge | Day 12: "No More Worry!"
Matt. 6:25 (NAS)“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27 “And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? 28 “And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30 “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31 “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Insight
Jesus said, "Do not be worried about your life." Worry defined: "give way to anxiety or unease; allow one's mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles; cause to feel anxiety or concern." While Matthew 6:33 is the "star" of this text, the background context is "don't worry," as Jesus indicated by mentioning it five times.
Worry is a form a fear, which according to 1 John 4:18, "has torment." Worry is negative emotions and negative energy in your body and mind, which can produce bad physical effects. Most importantly, worry takes us out of a godly mindset and puts us at odds with our Heavenly Father.
When we worry, we fail to recognize the processes God has set in motion on our behalf. Jesus said, "Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin…" It is not that the lilies of the field do nothing. These plants are connected to nature and benefit from nature's processes. They are "of the field." The same goes for the birds. They are "of the air." Of course, plants and birds don't have a will like we do. They don't choose to "buck the system" by worrying if the process God has put in place will work "this time."
We are "of God." We are connected to God's Spirit and to His unfailing Word. Worrying "bucks the system" and throws us out of sync. The solution to not worrying is not failing to take action. Our solution is always: "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness." God's kingdom and righteousness is our "field" and "air." It is our best environment and most fruitful process. So long as we stay connected by walking in faith and obedience (like the birds and lilies), we get things done and keep the path open for provision to find us.
Example
Does anyone believe that Captain Sullenberger would have had any chance of landing his airplane in the Hudson River if he started to worry when his engines failed? God's grace and Sulley's connection to his training and skills saved everyone aboard. His calm and confidence allowed the right process to work.
Prayer
Offer a prayer that includes repentance from worrying and a renewed commitment to "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness" through faith and obedience.
Day 12 | Online Exercise
Click here to take online exercise
