We can always find something to worry about whether we are young or old. See James 1:8. There is nothing more destabilising than worry. The Bible allows for us making provision for tomorrow. Foresight is not forbidden, it is foreboding.

1 – The cause of worry

There are four giants of worry.

• Food (vs. 25-26) – If God takes care of the birds (And you are more important) then surely he will take care of you.
• Fashion (25, 28) – If God looks after the flowers surely he will take care of you.
• Fitness (vs. 27) – The word “stature” is speaking of life span. You cannot worry yourself to a longer life.
• Future (34) – “Tomorrow” – We are not pulling tomorrows clouds over today’s sunshine. Worry is like a fog that covers your town.

2 – The cost of worry

Worry is useless (vs. 27) – What is the point of worrying? It does not help. Worry never solved a problem and is harmful. It will damage you physically, emotionally and spiritually. It is like sand in the engine of a car. People who worry brighten up the room when they leave! Worry is harmful to other people. It is a wound in the heart of God (vs. 30-31). Is your faith so little? Worry is an insult to God. All things do work together. (vs. 32) Those who worry are like the peoples of the world who do not know Jesus. If you don’t stop worrying your worry will:-

• Bury blessing – You may have your health, wife, children and living in a democracy.
• Steal strength – You can overload today with tomorrow’s worries. Are you carrying anvils while you are trying to swim?
• Produce more problems – The thing you worry about is likely to happen and more!

3 – The cure of worry

There are three things you can do to defeat worry.

• Trust in the Lord (vs. 32). “Your heavenly Father.” God knows about it. It is the father factor. See Matthew 10:29-31. Whatever problem God will be there. Things will go wrong – even the sparrow will die. If God cares for the sparrows – how much more does he care for you?
• The focus factor. You need to get your focus back (vs. 33) Seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God. We often put things first and then God.
• The future factor (vs. 34). Don’t borrow trouble. Don’t worry about tomorrow. God has arranged some problems for you today. We would not come to God if we did not have problems. God wants us to depend on him. All sunshine makes a desert. God gives sufficient grace. He gives us grace for today – not tomorrow. E.g. Manna in the wilderness.

Categories: Matthew