Worry Series

We continue our series of “Escape” by looking at another area that keeps us from experiencing the freedom Jesus’ coming and rising offer us. The last few weeks we have spoken about escaping bad decisions, the shame/guilt that accompanies them, trading religion for relationships, traps of spirituality and even selfishness.

A number of years ago now, I was in a pastoral care class which gave practical advice on how to handle some of life’s most horrendous situations. I will never forget the moment I lost my cool in class. It was a small group in which we would read the case study of pastoral call and then role play our counseling. It was helpful to be exposed to the situations and many have come about. However, on this day, the scenario had to deal with losing a loved one and how to counsel the parent’s concern about their child’s eternal fate. The pastor in training said, in the role play, to grieving parents, “I understand your pain and concern. However, the scriptures teach us we shouldn’t worry, we just need to trust God in these situations.” The comment struck me as so uncaring. I know the bible says “don’t worry over 100 times. However, to say “don’t worry and trust in God” in that situation felt like using a christian bumper sticker phrase as some spiritual band-aid.

Thankfully, we have the scriptures to look through to find solutions. This morning I’d like to begin with Jesus' words and then move to one of the most quoted scriptures on the topic of worry and fear. So if you wouldn’t mind opening your bible to Matthew 6:25-34.

This is part of a much larger sermon by Jesus, referred to as the Sermon on the Mount. A famous treatise to help us in living a JOY filled life. Jesus Has just shared a series about giving, the disciplines and the reward that awaits those who believe. He then shares,

25 “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? 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? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[e]?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 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? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

The point is clear. worrying about the things of this world is futile. One definition of worry is to allow one’s mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles. It is to bask in fear. The acronym for FEAR is future events as real or false evidence appearing real. Now, some preachers and teachers will tell you any fear or worry is a lack of faith. While partially true, it falls short of the full teaching of scripture.

Proverbs 22: 3 NIV states: The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

Or from the NLT translation it says, A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

The full counsel of God says on occasion a little worry or concern is good. In fact, God gave us a mind so we can sense danger and judge situations so that we could survive in a hostile world. In Paul’s letter to one of his church plants in a corinth, he shares his fear and concern for those he once ministered with. 2 Corinthians 7:5-7, the greatest example of fearless sharing of the gospel states:

For when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. 6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.