A Life Without Worry Series

Healthy Disciples: A LIFE WITHOUT WORRY—Matthew 6:25-34

(Read the text first.)

“Do not worry…”

What would it take for you to stop worrying? Would 10 million dollars be enough money? Would a cure for cancer set your mind at ease?

Worry is a common human thing. People worry about their kids or their marriage. They worry about their jobs or people at work. They worry about the world, or the future of the nation, or the direction the culture is moving.

When we worry, we might feel like we are doing something productive. Wrong! Worrying doesn’t help at all!

As Jesus put it, (Matthew 6:27) “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

Worrying is not going to change world events, the culture, or injustice at work. Worrying is not going to improve your health, fix your relationships, or balance your finances. Worrying is not going to help you solve your personal problems.

It never makes sense to worry! But we all do! (At least, I do sometimes.)

HOW CAN WE OVERCOME WORRY? In this text, Jesus teaches 3 ways to reduce worry:

-RAMP UP WORSHIP

***Rev. Robert H. Schuller told of a time in his life when he was consumed by worry and stress. His faith was at a low point, when one morning, he walked out the front door of his house, and saw a rosebush in bloom. In his typical enthusiasm, he went back into the house, and called out to his wife, “Arvella! The roses are blooming.” She quietly said, “Bob, they have been blooming for a couple of weeks.” **

Worry consumes us when we are so focused on our own problems that we lose sight of God and his power.

Jesus said we can overwhelm worry simply by opening our eyes to the power and goodness of God.

Matthew 6:28-30, “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers 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—you of little faith?”

How much did you perceive of the goodness of God before you came to church this morning?

You rolled out of bed, with an amazing, reasonably healthy body. The sun came up, and warmed the earth. The flowers were blooming, and the birds were singing. Many of us awoke to lovely people around us, even if they are definitely not morning people. You were free to come to church without fear of persecution, and you are in a place where you are loved and supported. God is good.

Yet sometimes we don’t pay attention. We need to pay attention in worship, every day.

In the morning, take time to pray. Tell your worries to God, but do more than that. Praise God for who he is and what he does. Meditate on his goodness and power.

At mealtime, give God more than a nod of thanks. Reflect on the goodness of food, health, and God’s faithful provision for your needs.

In the evening, step away from the screen, and take a power walk. Look around at the world, and hum the tune, “He’s got the whole world in his hands.”

On a regular basis, open your Bible to see the greatness of God. Fall in love with the honest worship of the Psalms. Be awed by the providence and plan of God, and be amazed at the power shown in the resurrection of Jesus and the life of the early church.

Then, before you fall asleep at night, do what 1 Peter 5:7 suggests: “Cast all your anxiety on God because he cares for you.”

Ramp up your worship—not just on Sunday, but every day.

-RE-ALIGN AMBITIONS.

Matthew 6:31 “Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’”

Of course, some people are forced to spend most of their time taking care of basic needs, and we should not judge them for being focused on survival. Our worries seem minor compared to theirs.

Jesus speaks to us, however, as he continues, (Matthew 6:32) “For the pagans RUN AFTER all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.”

Jesus points out that those who don’t know God “run after” their perceived needs. It’s an attitude of always wanting “More,” and always fearing it will “not be enough.”

This causes us to ask ourselves, “How much of my worry is caused by my dissatisfaction, and desire for more than I have?” Is overspending causing worry about debt? Is an impossible standard of success causing anxiety about my career track? Does status-seeking cause anxiety about how people see me? Does my sense of entitlement make me worry that I will not have more than my parents did, or as much as the people around me?