“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6:31-34 NLT
As Kingdom people, we have the privilege of knowing our heavenly Father is taking care of every need we have. Jesus actually commands us to not worry about anything. We are the Father’s beloved children by covenant, and as such, he has released us from the burdens of our own care.
Seems too good to be true, doesn’t it?
Sure, we are to be responsible and do our part for the work he’s given us. But our heart’s posture is to be one of faith—trust and dependence on God in everything. We are to have utter confidence in our Father’s love, concern, and absolute commitment to our care. The filter we are to see life through is childlike trust in everything. The flowers and birds don’t have to give thought about where their next meal is coming from because God is in-the-moment always caring for them.
Those 'what-if's'
But it’s hard not to worry. Fearful things keep us awake at night, and each day greets us with needs, some urgent. As if today’s concerns aren’t enough, anxieties about tomorrow also grip our hearts. Nothing seems easier than to follow the trail of what might happen—or what might not happen.
We need to remember a couple of things. First, fear, anxiety, and worry don’t come from God. They come from his enemy, Satan, who uses fear against us as one of his chief weapons. If he can torment us with fearful possibilities or make us doubt God’s love and care, he has achieved his aim. Second, Jesus tells us that the enemy is a liar and the father of lies, that there is no truth in him. Think about that for a minute—doesn’t that imply that we shouldn’t believe those “what-if’s”?
Seeking the Kingdom of God
God, on the other hand, speaks only Truth. Everything he tells us in his Word is true, a rock we can anchor ourselves on no matter what things trouble us. Jesus promises that as we set our focus first on God and his Kingdom, everything we need—every moment of every day—will be supplied. It’s a given.
So what practical steps can we take to deal with worry when it sets up camp in our hearts?
- Do what it says in the Bible: Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall (Psalm 55:22). Picture yourself releasing the weight of all your worries on him.
- Read other verses about fear and worry. (Some are listed below.) It’s a good idea to write these down somewhere so you can review them often. They will keep your focus on what is actually true—God knows, God cares, and God is handling it.
- Then, thank and praise him for being your wonderful Father. Thank him you have the privilege of being his beloved child. Praise him for the answers that he is working on, for his love and care, and for the good plans he has for your life. Praise is a mighty weapon that can rout those worries and refocus your faith.
The next time you find the net of worry capturing your thoughts, remember who you are—a child of the living God! As you put him first with utter confidence and childlike trust, he promises to meet your every need. Remember…he’s got this!
Bible study: Psalm 27:1, Jeremiah 29:11, Matthew 6:25-34; John 8:44; Philippians 4:6-7, 2 Timothy 1:7; 1 Peter 5:7, 1 John 4:18
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