Weather Report From Heaven: Sunny and bright, with an abundance of light and lots of singing and rejoicing.
Scripture- “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”- Matthew 6:33-34
Insight: We certainly live in a time where there is an abundance of things to worry about if we so choose. But that has always been the case throughout history. Whether macro things outside our control like politics or micro things within our own sphere of influence, like our finances, each day can bring many unsettling things. However, Jesus tells us throughout the Bible to avoid worrying and being anxious because He understood the damage it can do to a person’s life. It can literally put a stranglehold on our life. Worry feeds on the what-ifs of life, exactly where satan wants you focused because there is much instability there. Jesus wants you focused on the here and now, and satan wants you anxious about the future or regretful of the past. I’ve heard it said that worry pulls tomorrow’s cloud over today’s sunshine. According to Pastor Mark Hitchcock, the Worrier lives in the past and the future, spending life crucified between two thieves that rob the present of its joy and vitality. That is a tough place to live your life from and that is why Jesus spoke so passionately about warning His followers to avoid this pattern in their lives. He wanted to free them up so they could be effective for their Kingdom Calling. He knew that worrying is the enemy of faith.
Vance Havner once said “worrying is like sitting in a Rocking Chair. It will give you something to do, but it won’t get you anywhere.” That is very true, but I believe even more damning from a biblical viewpoint is the fact that worry illustrates a lack of trust in God. We worry because we aren’t believing at a deep enough level the promises of God. I have been guilty of this in many areas of my life, primarily in my finances. This worry has done nothing but cause me pain. Worry leads directly to anxiety and anxiety is the number one mental health issue of our day. We simply need to unplug from the sources of worry, namely the media in all of its forms, and replace them with things that bring us peace, namely God’s promises found in His Word, or we will not live a very healthy life. A burglar can steal from you once, but worry can steal from you night after night. So how can we bury worry before worry buries us? We must read scriptures that promise us to not worry and believe and trust in them down to our core. I’ll leave you with one of my favorites from Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
0 Comments