The Truth We Must See

We live in a society that is obsessed with worry. People take medications to avoid worry, people drink alchol to avoid worry, people work themselves to death to avoid worry, some even eat themselves to death in order to avoid worry. Others see counselors in an attempt to help cure their worry problem. While I acknowledge that certain emotional conditions may require professional and medical assistance (clinical depression, chemical imbalances, etc) most people don't have those conditions. Most people are just worry warts. Plain and simple. So, how does a worry wart stop worrying? The truth that we must see if we are to stop worrying is both very simple and very difficult at the same time. What is that truth? Trust in God.

That's it? Yep, that's it! Trust in God and you will not need to worry. You can save yourself alot of money and time, not to mention stress, if you just learn to trust in the Lord.

In Matthew 6:25-34 (Lk 12:22-31) our Lord gives us several principles on the emptiness of worry.

1. Do not worry (Matt 6:25,31,34). Three times in this one section our Lord commands us not to worry. This can be achieved only by trusting in God. You see if you trust in the Lord (obey Him, leave it in His hands, etc) you can't go wrong. Now that certainly does not mean it will always be easy or fun. However it does mean that in the end everything will work out for the best in your life (Rom 8:28). We need to follow the Lord. What did the Psalmist say? "The Lord is my Shepherd".

2. Life is more than basic needs (Matt 6:25-26,28-29). Alot of our stress is really the same as the stresses and worries of the first century world. We worry about money, taxes, food, clothing, shelter, health, etc, etc. Those are all very basic needs and very real concerns. However our Lord tells us that life is more than these things. In fact He says that if we "seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness...all these things will be added" (vs33). Look at the birds of the air (vs26) and the flowers (vs28-30). They don't work for their needs but God takes care of them. Now if God takes care of them certainly He will take care of the basic needs of His children (vs26,30). This does not excuse a lazy attitude. We are to work. However it does show us that if we trust in the Lord He will make sure that our daily needs are fulfilled ("Give us this day our daily bread"). What did the Psalmist say? "I shall not want".

3. We are more valuable than animals (vs26). I know this is going to make some people very angry but, according to the Lord Himself, we humans are more valuable than animals. This is mainly true if we are the children of God through Jesus Christ (Eph 2:10). In Matthew 10:29-31 our Lord says, "Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows". The point is this: if God is so attentive to animals and plants, and if God places so much value on one simple sparrow, how much more will God care for His children. This is why we should trust in the Lord. He will provide for His own.

4. Worrying produces nothing (Matt 6:27). You can worry all day today about tomorrow and guess what? You have wasted today. Tomorrow will indeed care for itself (vs34). So worry will produce nothing good in your life. Period. Now worry can produce negative things in your life. Things such as high blood pressure and stress. These things can be deadly. So we need not worry since by worrying we accomplish nothing. What did the Psalmist say? "Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever".

This is the simple truth we must see if we are to avoid worry. This simple truth is found in a book that sits in most homes, hotel rooms, hospital rooms, book stores, and libraries. It is the Bible, the Word of God.

Let's make it our new years resolution to trust in the Lord and not worry.

In Christ,
Martin.