Devotional: Do Not Worry
Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious 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? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”
Matthew 6:25-27
Jesus commands us not to worry. As a matter of fact, God knows how strong our tendency to worry is, that the Bible roughly mentions not to be fearful or anxious about 365 times. That’s one Scripture for every day of the year!
Why is it our tendency to worry about our life and future?
We want to be in control.
We fear being rejected, not having security, or our hard work not being rewarded, but God promises that He takes care of His children. If you believe in Jesus as your Saviour, then you are God’s child and His promises are true.
God calls us His children because He wants us to be like children — fully trusting Him and His goodness.
A child with loving and secure parents doesn’t worry about where dinner will come from, if they are in danger while playing outside, or if they can afford new clothes or toys. Their minds are on enjoying life because they have 100% trust that their parents are taking care of them. This is the same freedom that God wants us to have.
It doesn’t mean that we become irresponsible or reckless; it means that when we have done all that we can, we simply rest with the comfort that God will take care of the outcome.
A farmer does his due diligence of planting and watering the crops; yet, he cannot manipulate the outcome. There is no way he can control the weather or the seed’s growth. Instead, he carries on and trusts that the crops will yield. Worrying about it will not produce anything.
What’s so bad about worrying anyway?
Worry takes away your joy. It strips you of freedom to walk in the calling that God has for you.
It cripples you and even physically affects your body.
It adds nothing to your life; rather, it takes away from it. It prevents you from trusting that God is truly taking care of you.
So, how can we practically apply this belief and walk fearlessly?
Be secure in your identity as a Christian.
You have a new spirit: 2 Timothy 1:7— “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
You are His child: Romans 8:15— “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
He cares about you! 1 Peter 5:7 — “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
Recognize every time a voice of anxiety, worry, or stress comes into your thoughts.
“You’re not good enough…”
“What if…”
“God hates me…”
Replace that voice with Scripture. The Bible is our biggest weapon.
Psalm 55:22 — “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.”
All of Psalm 23 — “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want… I will fear no evil, for you are with me.”
Isaiah 26:3 — “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”
Psalm 56:3 — “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.”
Romans 8:6 — “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”
Hebrews 13: 5 — “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Pray, be thankful, and trust Him, regardless of your situation.
Philippians 4:6 — “Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus.”
Romans 8:8 — “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Take a moment: Think of one area, big or small, where worry has crept in your life. What does that anxious voice in your head say?
For example, I currently tend to worry or be anxious about my health. I had crippling stomach issues in the past and sometimes, the symptoms will re-appear.
The anxious voice in my head says, “What if I have to deal with the issues again and can’t do the things I can do now? What if this symptom doesn’t go away?”
As a result, I can replace that voice with, “I am a child of God; he takes care of me, whether I am sick or healthy. I can be thankful in all circumstances because He will never leave my side.”
It takes practice and it will be a constant battle, but Christ wants us to rest and to set us free.
Rest and live by faith.
-Alina