Win Over Your Worry Series

Win Over Your Worry

The Habits of Happiness Part 5

Matthew 6:25-34

We all want to be happy.

I bet there is no single person who intentionally chooses to be unhappy.

However, so many people in this world are not happy for one reason or another.

In order to be happy, this is what we have to realize.

Happiness is our choice.

Happiness is something that we choose.

In order to be happy, we must do things that will bring happiness.

Therefore, during this series, we are talking about habits that we must build to experience happiness in our lives.

And today we will talk about the importance of winning over our worries.

We all worry from time to time.

Some of our worries are rational, and some are irrational.

However, worrying never help us to be happy.

This is why in order to be happy, we must learn to win over our worries.

What if this happens?

What if that happens?

We can all agree that when it comes to membership in the human race, worry is a part of the package.

It is because every one of us worries sometimes.

However, Jesus was very clear on this issue of worry.

In a nine-verse passage in Matthew 6, Jesus used the expression “Do not worry” three times.

Therefore, if we summarize the teachings of Jesus on the subject of worry, we can state it in three words: Do not worry.

But before we take a closer look at the passage in which Jesus discussed about worry, let me offer these simple disclaimers.

First, do not worry does not mean do not plan.

In Matthew 6:34, Jesus said, “Do not worry for tomorrow.”

And some people think that it is a prohibition against career ambition, financial planning, life insurance, or any number of things.

However, no one who takes time to read the Bible would say that Jesus had a problem with planning.

He planned for His ministry after His death, resurrection and ascension.

He spent plenty of time preparing His disciples for Jerusalem and beyond.

He also taught that we should count the cost of following Jesus.

Therefore, to live without planning is not pure spirituality; it is pure stupidity.

In fact, I realized this over the years.

If we plan ahead of time and prepare for the future, we will worry less.

Therefore, do not worry does not mean do not plan.

Second, do not worry does not mean do not be concerned.

Some people quote Philippians 4:6 which says this: Do not be anxious about anything…

And they use this passage as an excuse for a careless lifestyle.

“Don’t worry, be happy.”

However, this is not what the Bible is talking about at all.

For example, if we do not worry about our children playing near traffic, we are not a good parent.

There are things that we need to be concerned about.

There is a difference between carefree and careless.

This is why the second part of Philippians 4:6 says this: …but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Realistic concern and restless worry are two separate things.

The difference is this.

Concern focuses on the present.

Worry focuses on the future.

The present is here and there is an action that we can take.

But the future is out of our hands.

Therefore, what did Jesus say about worry?

In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus taught us what worry is all about and how we can face it.

I. We must realize the futility of worrying (vv. 25-32).

Verse 25 says this.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

This is an argument from the greater to the lesser.

Jesus listed things that we must not worry about.

We must not worry about our lives, bodies, what we will eat or drink, and what we will wear.

Jesus wanted us to think about it.

Who gave us lives?

Who created our bodies?

If God gave us our lives and created our bodies, then will He not give us food, drink, and clothes?

If He created us, then He will sustain us as well.

If we believe in the Creator God, then we must also believe in the Sustainer God.

Then Jesus went on and said this in verse 26.

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?

This is an argument from the lesser to the greater.

If God takes care of the birds of the air, will He not take care of us who are much more valuable than the birds?