Why Worry?

When I watched a few minutes of the news one morning in October 2002 the anxiety level was high, anxiety over shootings, terrorist attacks, Iraq, and more mundane things like airport weather delays. There are personal anxieties too over health, money, work and school. The fact these things cause such worry and anxiety is a symptom that personal priorities are not correct. A Christian should not have this level of worry and anxiety for several reasons, three of which are benefits coming out of the priority issue.

Jesus is very clear that God is to be the Christian's #1 priority. God is to be the center of your life, your motivations, and the reason behind your ambitions. Matthew 6:24 and 33 summarize Jesus'view on this: [6:24] No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. [6:33] But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

In this part of the Sermon on the Mount Jesus also points out benefits that come from making God #1 in your life: The first benefit is that you will have real security both now and for eternity as this contrast points out: [6:19-20] "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. (20) But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

The second benefit is that you will have freedom from worry and anxiety. This happens for many reasons among them are the fact that what really matters is God's will so your perspective on these anxiety triggers is very different. You are also open to God's peace and joy. Also, you know that God knows about the problem and is doing something about it. That is the implication in this verse that changes so much in how you view life: [6:32] For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

The third benefit comes out of the certainty that your Heavenly Father knows and it is that he cares! As Jesus points out: [6:26, 28 - 30] "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? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 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, O you of little faith?" So you know that he cares for you and me that is why whenever you are tempted to worry and be filled with anxiety you can relax and do what Peter urges you to do [1 Peter 5:7] "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

All of these together make Jesus' closing comment in Matthew chapter 6 so reasonable if God is really your #1 priority. Jesus tells you: [6:34] “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.”

So as Christians you and I must take those problems and disturbing items in the news turn them into prayer requests and then live in the confidence and peace that God is working!

Written by Rev. Daniel B. Baker October 2002



Articles by Rev. Daniel B. Baker :: Webmaster: Joseph I. Baker