Matthew 6:25-34 Dealing with Worry Sunday AM 3/11/06

Many modern thinkers call this the age of anxiety. Worry is now a national pastime and family adventure. We worry about security. We worry about health. We worry about global warming or cooling, war, terrorists, test, evaluations, performance, jobs, life. We are a worried people living in a time when worry and fear are used to sale us the news.
Worry and anxiety have disastrous effects ranging from ulcers and heart disease to chronic feelings of unhappiness. Psychological theories are constructed and therapeutic rituals formulated stop the tide of anxiety. Psychological terror reigns in our world. We are our own torturers.
The Lord states clearly that worry is a complete waste of energy and should not be indulged because God provides for our needs. Jesus asks us in Matthew 6 “Can your worry add a single hour to your life?”

Matthew 6:25-34

Why do we worry?

Is it possible we worry because we were not designed to handle the stress of life on our own? But that is exactly what we do attempt to handle the stress of life on our own?
When we worry what are we doing? We doubt God’s love. We imply by our worry that God is not concerned about us.
When we worry we doubt God’s wisdom. We imply God is not able to plan for His children, that He does not know what is best for us.
When we worry we doubt God’s power. We imply God your grace is not sufficient for my needs.
In other words we are saying what if God doesn’t come through? He is eliminated from the equation.
We worry about the future what might happen.
We worry about the present what we think should be happening.
We worry about the past over what did happen.
And we wonder was God in it? Is He in this? Will He be in it?
Is He truly good? Does He know what He is doing? Is He able?

The problem with worry is that it is not a little weakness we all give way to from time to time. Worry is practical atheism and an affront to God.
It is why Jesus says to us, do not worry!
God’s response to worry is
I love you. (verses 25-26) Worry is unnecessary.
I am in complete control. (verses 28-30) Worry is blind.
I will meet your needs. (verses 31-32) Worry is a failure to trust.
Your worry is useless and without effect in the problems of life. (verses 27&34)

It is easy to say, “God is in control.” That is the reasoning why a Christian should not worry, but how does it translate to the emotional and behavioral level of life?

His solution is. (verse 33)
Dealing with worry as a Christian is about relationship not technique. It is a process rooted in a relationship with the Spirit. Living in relationship with Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit God defends and protects us against worry. God proves He is trustworthy and we can continue to grow in faith and belief in Him.

Jesus gives us direction of what to put in place of worry and a contingency is added that tells us the only way to guarantee our needs will be met. Seek First His Kingdom and His Righteousness and all these things will be added to you.

His Kingdom = Desire what God desires. Lost people and relationship with people are God’s desire. Value what He values.
His Righteousness = Living how God desires you to life. A life surrendered to relationship with Him.

The world is full of opportunities to question God and His work. Your kids will disappoint you, spouses will do stuff, bosses will get on to you, health problems will arise, an unexpected bill will come in, will you trust Him anyway? Is He big enough, smart enough and caring enough to take care of you? It is a question you have to answer. The answer is relationship with God.