{"id":126969,"date":"2017-08-11T23:59:47","date_gmt":"2017-08-12T05:59:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/?post_type=resource&p=126969"},"modified":"2024-04-17T09:19:14","modified_gmt":"2024-04-17T15:19:14","slug":"gods-promises-combat-worry","status":"publish","type":"resource","link":"https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/resource\/gods-promises-combat-worry\/","title":{"rendered":"God\u2019s Promises Combat Worry"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Do not worry then, saying \u201cWhat will we eat?\u201d or \u201cWhat will we drink?\u201d or \u201cWhat will we wear for clothing?\u201d For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your Heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you<\/em>. \u2013Matthew 6:31-33<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note the first three words in this passage: Do not worry<\/em>. Jesus does not say, \u201cTry<\/em> not to worry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Worry in Greek is merimna<\/em>, and it is used 19 times in the New Testament. It means to draw in different directions<\/em>\u2014to be in two minds, on big things or little things. For example, \u201cI have a promising career, but what if<\/em> I don\u2019t get a promotion?\u201d Or \u201cThat thumping in my car is probably nothing, but what if<\/em>\u2026.?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asking \u201cwhat if\u201d can compound our worries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Worry starts with a legitimate concern but bubbling below the surface like a super-heated geyser is fear. Unchecked, fear morphs into exaggerated what-if\u2019s, causing stress. Eventually, health problems can develop\u2014upset stomach, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, headache, sleep problems, eczema\u2014and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does worry accomplish? An anonymous quipster said, \u201cWorry is like a rocking chair: it gives you something to do but it doesn\u2019t get you anywhere.\u201d But still, we worry. Some say, \u201cI can\u2019t stop worrying!\u201d Maybe we can\u2019t stop the temptation to worry, but must we collapse into worry every time temptation comes?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this passage, Jesus offers two antidotes for worry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Trust that He knows<\/strong>.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Three times Jesus mentions these things<\/em>\u2014life\u2019s necessities\u2014what to eat, what to drink, what to wear. Since our \u201cHeavenly Father knows that you need all these things,\u201d we can relax. He is aware of the stuff we worry about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If God knows we need these things<\/em>, then like the Psalmist, \u201cWe need not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what may happen. For he is settled in his mind that Jehovah will take care of him\u201d (Psalm 112:7<\/a> Living Psalms and Proverbs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not only does He know, He cares. 1 Peter 5:7<\/a> says, \u201cCasting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Believe His promise.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Matthew 6:33<\/a> is the great promise. To receive these things<\/em> (life\u2019s necessities), seek first His kingdom<\/em>. Common sense says you must seek first<\/em> a good job or a good bank account. Focus on your physical needs first and give leftover energy to your spiritual life. But striving for the necessities of life as your #1 priority is no guarantee you will get them. Hard work doesn\u2019t guarantee success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, seek God\u2019s Kingdom first and all these things will be added to you<\/em>. That\u2019s a guarantee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does seeking God\u2019s Kingdom mean we do nothing\u2014waiting in excited holiness for God to bless? Earlier in this same chapter (Matthew 6:26<\/a>), speaking about the birds, Jesus said, \u201cYour heavenly Father feeds them; are you not worth much more than they?\u201d But God doesn\u2019t drop fresh earthworms into their mouths each morning. When you see a robin poking in the grass, it is looking for the food God has provided. Birds do their part, and God does His part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Application<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n