Worry does not select a few to be subject to its influence. It targets us all. It is felt as a cloud that hangs over us, as a burden that weighs us down, and as an arrow that pierces our soul. It can dominate our days and disturb our nights, no matter how insignificant may be the concern.
The pressures around us today create worries regarding the future. Does the Adversary ever whisper how much "better off" you would be if more time was spent on earning and less on serving the Lord, despite the fact that you already fulfil all your responsibilities as far as work is concerned.
This reminds us of what the Lord Jesus said in the twelfth chapter of Luke: "Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment" (vv.22-23). From these words of Jesus and the comments following we reach four conclusions.
Such worry is needless
"Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?" (v.24).
In order to meet our needs we labour and seek to store up what we feel is necessary for tomorrow. Yet the birds of the air do not labour but still are fed. If God supplies the need of the birds he will certainly supply our need. This is not an injunction to abandon employment, but it is an encouragement to cease from anxious care and worry.
Such worry is hopeless
And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? (vv.25-26).
There are two differing views on this verse. Some feel that it does refer to one's stature, while others feel that it refers to the length of our life. Irrespective of what view is taken, the verse refers to us seeking to do what is impossible. And yet the Lord states that if we are seeking and failing to carry out any of these actions which are of little consequence, how could we change other more weighty matters? It might be thought that the lengthening of our life is more than being "least", but from the standpoint of the Lord this is so.
Worry about what cannot be altered is a hopeless occupation. It does not mean that difficulties should be ignored, but rather that they should be committed to the One who is in control of all.
Such worry is faithless
"If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?" (v.28).
The context is, of course, the supply of our daily needs, but the verse can be applied in a wider sphere. In the midst of times of worry, when anxiety grips the mind, we must stop and consider, "Is this worry of mind an indication that I do not have the faith that I should?". Looking back over the years we see many examples of His loving care and of His supporting hand through days of difficulties. Why then burden ourselves now with anxious care? Has faith failed? Has the God who supported yesterday changed? Are the difficulties too great for Him or has worry so filled us that He has been excluded? Do we hear His reproachful words, "O ye of little faith"?
The conclusion
"And seek not ye what ye shall eat, and what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: but your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things" (vv.29-30).
To spend our time in anxious worry and perhaps endless activity to achieve our goals is acting as do the nations. This is not as it should be for those who have learned that the Lord is faithful. Experience has taught us that He is faithful, and the Word of God assures us that He will never leave us, nor will He forsake us. Our Father knows every anxiety. But He does more than know, He supplies what is needed and He carries us through the crisis.
Concluded.
The author of this article is unknown.
