“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” Matthew 6:25
Here are words from the mouth of Jesus Christ himself. He was teaching the followers about the mind of God concerning every child of his.
He is willing to provide our every need, even as he has shown us his will over again through the scriptures.
You see, worry is a state of mind that insinuates that a man has not seen reason to believe that the promises God made, he is able to make come true. It is a direct undermining of the power of God to provide, to save and to deliver.
This is not good for believers, since the first duty of a believer is to ‘believe’. We have the sure word of God that not only has promises which God has proclaimed, but it is also filled with generations of believers who believed in the word of God, had faith to act on it, and also received the promise in their lives.
Jesus was teaching the people in his day against this disturbing act of worrying. This is not just a new condition that started in this generation; it has always been a part of the character of men.
Worry comes when we begin to look at those things that surround us, and we begin to see them as more powerful than the God that has made promises to us concerning provision, protection and guidance.
People may worry for different reasons; some for food, or what to drink, or clothing. Some worry about their health, and some worry about their lives (protection from dangers). Some even worry about the ministry and spiritual increase. Jesus deals with all of these worries, and his words apply to every dimension of worry we may be harboring. He said:
“Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?” Matthew 6:27
Worrying is a very depressing condition that not only affects our spiritual growth, it also affects our physical health. People have worried their lives into depression and all sorts of mental breakdown, but the Christian should find solace in believing the ever-true word of God as he has spoken.
This issue of worrying has been dealt with severally in the bible by many messengers of God to his people, and they have all had the same message from God; a word of hope and encouragement saying “Don’t worry”.
Paul the apostle wrote to Christians saying:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6
There is a promise we must believe. That is why the apostle is bold enough to discourage believers from engaging in the destructive habit of worrying. He tells them not to be desperate about anything that they think they may need, but to continually put it into prayer as a request unto God, who he knows is going to answer.
God is aware of our needs, and not only is he aware, but he can also provide them. He is capable and able:
“’The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the LORD of hosts.” Haggai 2:8
This God doesn’t only know our problem, of course even men know what problems we have, but he is a God that is able to meet your point of need, no matter how demanding and humanly impossible it looks.
So, Jesus says:
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat? Or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” Matthew 6:31-32
There is a guarantee for our provision. It is not just an empty promise; he has been doing it for a long time, and he will continue to do more even now.
We are strengthened and reassured of God’s provision in this verse:
“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
His words are ‘Yes’ and ‘Amen’, if he has spoken it, then he will do it.
Today, don’t look at the problems that need a solution. Don’t let that money bother you, don’t let the health challenge pull you down; you have suffered too much already. Let God take all these troubles and let him be the one to bother about your needs.
Cast all your troubles on him because he cares. Your duty is not to worry, but to trust God enough for you to say, “Father, I commit everything bothering me into your hands.” God is our ever-present help and is ready to fulfill his word in our lives, so trust in him instead of worrying about what you can’t change.
