We often struggle with worry, but is there something we can do before we ever get to that point? Is there something we can do that can head worry off at the pass? Jesus tells us to “…seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).
If we seek Him first, if we seek His kingdom and seek to so what is right–loving God and loving others in all things–Jesus tells us that this will alleviate many worries.
Matthew 5:6 (TNIV)
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”Matthew 6:33-34 (TNIV)
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
The worries of this world can weigh us down. Do they ever seem to come hard and fast, one after another? Jesus tells us in verse 34 that it is important to live one day at a time. It is important to handle each worry as it comes. Many will never come to pass. Those that do occur can only be handled in the present.
One of the best ways to avoid dealing with today’s challenges and difficulties is to get wrapped up in tomorrow’s. It seems easier to worry about what might not happen in the future than to deal with what is happening in the today! Tomorrow may require plans and thinking ahead, but tomorrow does not require worry. Today requires work and trust. Worry immobilizes us today and reveals a lack of trust in God’s ability to hold tomorrow and preserve us.
Jesus left us no doubt that troubles of one kind or another will be part of the daily routine. But he also described those troubles as “enough” for each day. Can we not also trust God to provide whatever we need for the day? When we worry about tomorrow, we misuse the strength God has provided for today. We need to take “one day at a time” in our relationship with God.
Matthew 6:25-34 (TNIV)
Jesus gives us seven reasons not to worry (Taken from the LAB Commentary):
1. The same God who created life in you can be trusted with the details of your life.
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 important than food, and the body more important than clothes?
2. Worrying about the future hampers your efforts for today.
26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
3. Worrying is more harmful than helpful.
27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
4. God does not ignore those who depend on him.
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?
5. Worry shows a lack of faith in and understanding of God.
31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
6. There are real challenges God wants us to pursue, and worrying keeps us from them.
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
7. Living one day at a time keeps us from being consumed with worry.
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.