Key scripture – “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life, whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear.”(Matthew 6:25).

What do you worry about? Take a moment and make a mental list. Jesus told us “not to worry about everyday life” (Matthew 6:25) and he said there are two good reasons why.

One reason is practical: When we worry, we waste energy on something that may never happen. Notice how many of your worries relate to the future—that you’ll be jobless, never get married, you will always be in debt, or your health will never get better.

The fact is, most things we worry about won’t come to fruition, and fretting won’t make an ounce of difference in those that do. “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” Jesus asked (Matthew 6:27). They can’t. “So don’t worry about tomorrow,” He said. “Today’s trouble is enough for today” (Matthew 6:34).

The other reason is theological and just as important. Worry is a sin because it denies that God will provide for our needs through His power and goodness. Jesus said that His Father “cares so wonderfully” for all creation, including us! (Matthew 6:30). And He also “knows all [our] needs” and will give us “everything [we] need” (Matthew 6:32-33). Jesus told us that God will provide us with our daily bread. “Give us this day our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11).

To make His point, Jesus used the natural world. “Look at the birds,” He said. Look how God “feeds” them (Matthew 6:26). “Look at the lilies of the field,” He adds. Look how beautifully clothed they are (Matthew 6:28-29). God is right now actively providing for creation. Think about it, if He tenderly looks after birds and flowers, won’t He look after you, His child, who is so much more important to Him?

Jesus has already answered this question for you, “Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:9-11).

Go back to your mental list of worries, and starting today, trust God with all your needs, challenges, and problems especially the ones that are on your mind right now. Remember God is real and He’s there for you, and He is greater and bigger than your phantom worries.

Focus on God’s power and presence, and say to yourself every time you start to worry, “I will not fear, God is with me. I will not doubt, God is in control. I will not be defeated, God is always victorious. I will not falter, God has redeemed me. I will not despair, God is good. I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, forgive me for all the time that I have wasted on worrying, fretting and being anxious because it only causes harm. (Psalm 37:8b). Strengthen my faith so that I never let worries, doubts, discouragement, and depression take over my thoughts. When I start going down that path that is when I will stop and take those negative thoughts captive, and replace them with Your Word, and say what You say about my problem. Today I will start obeying what You have commanded me to do, which is, not worry or be afraid, instead I will be strong and courageous because You are with me (Joshua 1:9). Every time I start to think about my problems and worry, I will pray instead and say, I will not fear, God is with me. I will not doubt, God is in control. I will not be defeated, God is always victorious. I will not falter, God has redeemed me. I will not despair, God is good. I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.