Key scripture – “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” “Therefore do not worry, saying What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? Or What shall we wear?” “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:25,31,34).

Three times in the sixth chapter of Matthew, Jesus said, “Do not worry.” I think that is pretty clear, Jesus does not want us to worry about anything. Do you know why? For the following reasons:

1. If we can trust Jesus to provide us with eternal life can’t we also trust Him with our daily needs. Why would He save us from hell but not protect us and provide for us now before we join Him in eternity.

2. If Our Lord cares for the birds then why wouldn’t He also care for us since we are more valuable to Him than birds. “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:26). In the tenth chapter of Matthew Jesus also said, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31).

3. Worry is not effective it adds nothing to your life. In Matthew 6:26 Jesus said “Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?” A cubit is the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger.

4. Worry is not logical. If God can clothe the lilies of the field, why can’t and why won’t He clothe us. Verses 28-30, “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” (Matthew 6:28-30).

5. When we worry we act like those who do not know God, who are referred to here as the Gentiles. “Therefore do not worry, saying What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? Or What shall we wear? For after all these the Gentiles seek. For your Heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” (Matthew 6: 31-32).

So instead of spending all of our time worrying what should we be doing: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33).

So how do you seek God and His righteousness; by reading His Word, praying, spending time alone with Him, and giving all your cares and burdens to Him. Do this and you will be amazed at what happens and the peace that you will have.

The peace that you will get from God is the calm assurance that what God is doing is best. God is saying to all of His children, “Leave your cares and burdens with me. I am on it. I’ve got it covered.” We can trust Him. We can lean on Him. God is at work in your life and you are going to see it. You are going to see his plans work out for you. Plans for good and not evil, for a future and hope.

If you are one of those people who says, “I am just a worrier, my mother was a worrier and so was her mother. It is in my DNA to worry.” That is a lie from the pit of hell. None of God’s children should be worriers. “For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7).

Are you ready to stop worrying and give all your burdens to God? Do you want to live in peace not anxiety? Do what Paul instructs us to do, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7).

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, forgive me for believing the lie that since I have always worried in the past, I can’t stop now because I am just a worrier. I do not want to live like that any longer. I am not going to be deceived any longer by Satan. Father, I will seek Your Kingdom and Your Righteousness first and I know everything else will be taken care of. I know that You will take care of my needs. You love me so much that You know every hair on my head and You keep my tears in a bottle. (Matthew 10: 30) (Psalm 56:8). Jesus is my Peace which surpasses all understanding. He guards my heart and mind. I will not fear because God is always with me, and I will not doubt because God is in control. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.