Worry is a sin that all people are susceptible to, even Christians. If we’re honest enough to admit it we’ve all struggled with the sin of worry at some point in our Christian life. But it doesn’t have to be that way. And it certainly shouldn’t be an ongoing part of our life as Christians. To be consumed with worry in the Christian life is to undermine the very faith we profess.
Dr. Charles Mayo of the famous Mayo Clinic “Worry affects the circulation, the heart, the glands, and the whole nervous system. I have never met a man or known a man to die of overwork, but I have known a lot who died of worry.”
William Hendriksen wrote in his New Testament commentary series, “A man may worry himself to death, but he cannot worry himself into a longer span of life.”
So, worry is wrong. It’s sin. It should have no part of a Christian’s life. But to be fair, sometimes there are circumstances that can be so overwhelming that worry creeps in and before we know it we are consumed by it. Worry can be very subtle at times. But we can’t let it control our lives. We can’t let worry be the driving force of our lives. And as Christians, we certainly can’t let worry define who we are.
In the Bible Jesus shows us how to overcome worry and how to resist the urge to ever yield to the temptation of the sin of worry in the future. And He does it by basically reminding us of a central truth. Namely that God is your Provider. This will go a long way in helping you overcome worry and fear. He gives three examples from life reminding us that because God is our Provider we don’t have to worry. In Luke 12:24-28, Jesus says, “Consider the ravens.” Then He says “God feeds them.” He says worrying can’t add a minute to your lifespan. He goes on to say, “Consider the lilies.” Then in v.28 He says, “God clothes them.”
Jesus is arguing from the least to the greatest. In each of these examples He’s pointing out that if God is willing to take care of even the raven (an unclean animal according to the book of Leviticus) and the grass (that fades and withers), then doesn’t it stand to reason that He will provide for the needs of the ones who are created in His image, chosen to be His own, and redeemed by the blood of His Son?
I can’t say this enough to the church today– the God who created this vast universe and all that’s in it is such a God that He knows the most minute details of everything that is taking place in His creation. He knows of every sparrow that has ever flown. He knows of every animal that has ever walked and crawled this earth. He knows of every tree that has ever sprouted. He knows of every flower that has every bloomed. He knows of every rain drop that has ever fallen. In fact, He sends the rain/wind/snow as He sees fit (Job 38-42).
Jesus is saying that God is sovereignly controlling all of His creation— even to the point of feeding the tiniest of His creatures and clothing the earth with beautiful plants. And if He is omniscient, omnipotent, & sovereign enough to care for the smallest of creatures then He is certainly able to care for His children who were created in His image for His glory! If you are a Christian I want to encourage you by reminding you that God is your Provider. You don’t have to worry!
The key to overcoming worry is found in Matthew 6:33. This verse is vital for every Christian to know and to obey. If we can ever get to the point of truly obeying this one verse, then our lives would be drastically changed for the glory of God. The verse reads, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” In other words, If we put Christ first in our lives then everything else will take care of itself.
The problem for many is that they aren’t seeking first the kingdom of God. The problem for a lot of professing Christians is that they are seeking everything but the kingdom of God. Listen, He never promised us wealth, fame, or fortune; but, He does promise us that if we will put Him first in our lives and truly seek Him and His righteousness, then all things pertaining to life—i.e. all necessities—will be provided for us.
If God is truly your treasure you have nothing to worry about. He will take care of His own. He will provide for you. Worry doesn’t have to control you. Even in the midst of all the uncertainties of the world we have the certain promises of God to provide for His own. Wars, weather, diseases, and pandemics do not have to control our lives. As Christians we can live our lives without fear, knowing that we belong to the one true God who promises to provide for and protect His own. To live with that kind of faith is evidence that you are growing “in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
By His Grace,
Pastor Johnny