Monday, April 18, 2016

Don't Worry!

Matt 6: 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 than food, and the body more than clothes?

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Bobby McFerrin tells us "Don't worry, be happy!" and Bob Marley relays a message from Three Little Birds saying "Don't worry about a thing, every little thing gonna be alright."  Both lack the wisdom as to HOW to accomplish this no worry state. 
Scripture contains the necessary wisdom.  In the middle of the Sermon on the Mount after teaching us how to pray and reminding us not to store up treasures on earth, Jesus tells us that we are not to worry, but to rely on God.  In fact, that's not even an accurate reflection of what Jesus really said.  He said, in fact, to seek God first. 
Often we make decisions about what to do in our lives then ask God to bless it.  That would be consistent with a "Fully Rely on God" theology.  Yet what Jesus said is to seek Him first and THEN all these things will be given to you.  How often do we make a decision and ask God to bless it?  We're missing out on how to avoid worry.  Instead, we are to yield our will to Him, seek His will and then follow in obedience.  He didn't promise an easy life of no work.  Instead He referenced the birds that work diligently to gather what God has already provided.  The secret to a worry-free life is to seek God first in each and every aspect of our lives. 
How about you?  Have you decided what you're doing today, tomorrow, and in the future?  Have you asked God to bless those plans?  If so, you should worry!  You've taken the wrong approach.  Or perhaps you simply find yourself worrying about school, or relationships, or events in your future or the future of others.  Seek God first, allow Him to guide your steps, and you will unlock the secret to a worry-free life. 

1 comment:

Chris said...

Rick Warren said in a message, "Do you know how to worry?" If yes, then you know how to meditate. Worry is just meditation on a problem. So, start worrying about scripture. Meditate on it and think about it all day instead of that problem, situation, concern, or anxiety.