“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?” - Matthew 6:25 (NLT)
Long lines. Empty store shelves. Quarantine! Social Distancing. Stock Market fears. Lost jobs. Low to frantic levels of worry capture all of us.
To think that one virus jumped from a bat in China, to a human being, to over 2 billion people quarantined from the Coronavirus has created avalanche-sized problems and concerns.
But Jesus tells us how to stop the avalanche of worry and bury other anxieties that plague us in Matthew 6:25-34. Jesus shows us how to win over fear with four empowering truths that can give us hope in uncertain times.
1. Worry is unnecessary because our Heavenly Father cares for us (v. 25-26).
God takes care of tiny birds (new research in World Atlas shows over 18,000 species), His comprehensive care will undoubtedly take care of His masterpiece of creation: Humanity. Since our Father feeds every bird, His comprehensive, Fatherly care surrounds and supplies our every need, and controls EVERY dangerous particle or germ.
Instead of expending energy in the rocking-chair of worry, let’s do some bird-watching. Our Father is doing 1000’s of things daily to take care of us. We are really in our Father’s hands.
2. Worry is a sign we need to grow our faith (v. 30).
My worry over finances, health, job security, family safety, and toilet paper shows my ‘little’ faith. Jesus said we worry because we have ‘little faith.’ Ouch. But God promises to build our belief as we read His Word (Romans 10:17)
3. Worry is a sign we need to change our priorities (Matt. 6:33-34).
Since God provides our needs, Jesus encourages us to seek the kingdom first. (Matthew 6:33) Instead of getting bogged down in earthly worries, finding kingdom priorities is another powerful antidote to worry.
Plan, wash our hands, have prudent foresight, then beat the plague of worry by trusting our loving Father. Avoid walking over the coals of tomorrow’s concerns, by believing God controls our future.
4. Worry can be overcome.
Millions of people have won over worry. You can, too (1 Corinthians 10:13). Since tomorrow belongs to our loving Father, we can defeat the virus of fear, know the joy of birds basking in God’s supply, seek His kingdom first, and see the satisfaction of being an overcomer.
Soak and Reflect
- Entrust ourselves to a Father who is intimately acquainted with all of our ways. (Psalm 139:3)
- Read Matthew 6 and claim promises He has for you in this chapter.
Prayer
Father, you knew I would struggle with worry.
Thank you for being the Great Provider of everything I need.
As you take care of every bird, you take care of me.
Forgive me for my small faith.
Help me grow my faith and defeat worry.
Thank you for your grace that covers my fears with your forgiveness and faithful love.
Amen.
