We often read passages that seem to have a lot of repetition. We sing songs that repeat words and phrases throughout. Jesus often says things repeatedly. Here’s the thing, repetition can be a good thing. It may be the third or fourth time that it finally sinks in. “Oh yeah. Now I hear it.” Anyone who has been a Christian for a minute or a reader of God’s Word has read the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). And we know what Jesus said about worrying, right? Maybe we need a little bit of repetition right now. Before you tune me out, I wanted to address this topic not to put a guilt on you, but to reveal the dark side of worrying.
Our message on Sunday was on worrying. And our group last night discussed it further. It was such a meaningful conversation. Jesus asks the question, “Can your worries add a single moment to your life?” Let’s think about this for a minute. Worrying doesn’t add anything to your life but it does rob you of precious things like sleep, joy, peace, freedom. It also negatively affects every aspect of our lives… our relationships, our health, our productivity, our Kingdom work, our daily activities. Worry can lead to stress and stress can be detrimental to our health. Here’s another thing worry does… it takes God off the throne of your heart. It keeps us from trusting.
We worry about our finances, our health, our loved ones. We worry that we will lose something precious to us… a spouse, a child, a home, a pet. This time of year can also bring out the worries big time. We worry about our loved ones traveling, if our family will get along, if everyone will have a good time. Keep in mind, that worrying doesn’t change a thing. It doesn’t keep things from happening, it just keeps us from enjoying life.
So, what’s the answer then? What can I do instead of worrying? Well, Jesus tells us in this message. He says, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33). And Paul says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything” (Philippians 4:6). In other words, take all your worries and concerns and lay them at the cross. And seek to put God first in everything. Begin each morning in prayer and the Word, no matter how busy life is. Replace worry with trust. If we would simply apply these principles to our life, we would be healthier… spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Hope this encourages you today.