Do Not Worry

I have a question for you: Do you worry? The reason I ask is because worry is a real problem for many people—maybe you. If so, then don’t worry about it! Jesus has a solution for it. He said, “Do not worry” (Matthew 6:25). Simple, but direct! Here, Jesus gives this command but then the message actually expands. It becomes the following commands:

> Do not worry about your life (Matthew 6:25)
> Do not worry about your needs (Matthew 6: 31)
> Do not worry about your future (Matthew 6:34).

That pretty well covers it all! But the bottom line is “Do not worry!” The word for worry in the Greek is “merimnao” and it means, “to divide” or “to tear apart” (like to come apart at the seams of a garment). So it literally reads “Do not be divided (torn) in your mind.” This thought is present in James 1:8 where we are warned that a person who is (divided in mind) is unstable in all he does. It’s true! One moment you are putting your faith in God and the next you are doubting Him. You have faith and then fear, fear and then faith—a divided mind. That’s not healthy. The scripture here is clear:“Worry about nothing.”

So what do we do instead of worry? You trust God to take care of you today! In Matthew 6:25-34 Jesus gives examples: He refers to the birds of the air (v. 26). They don’t sow or reap or store away in barns. God takes care of them and you are more valuable than are they to the Creator. Also, the lilies of the field (v. 28). They do not worry over what they wear. God takes care of them and He will do the same for you… to you who are so much more valuable to the Creator. He who cares most for you will take care of you. You can trust your concerns to the One who cares for you. “Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

The idea is that on any given day, you choose to trust rather than worry. You say to yourself: I will put off worry to another day, and choose to trust the Lord today.

Rhonda and I travelled to New York City years ago. On 5th Ave., there were two interesting statues to see and compare. One was at the RCA building with the statue of Atlas, the strong man, straining to hold the world upon his back. The other statue was down the street at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, with its representation of Jesus holding the world in His hand effortlessly. It reminded me that we all have a choice: We can carry the world on our shoulders or we can place our world into the hands of our Lord. Jesus says here that we can trust our worries, problems and lives into the hands of Him who loves us so. Jesus assure us: God will take care of us today…Think about it!

Devotedly yours,
Pastor Ron