Matthew 6:34---Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
“Do not
worry…” Jesus’ words are easier said than done, aren’t they? It’s hard to even
imagine a life completely free from all worry. Whether it’s big, life-altering
circumstances or the daily nuisances of life, we all struggle with worry. Maybe
that is why Christ, in the first sermon He ever delivered, spent a significant
portion of His time on this very subject. The word “worry” in this section of
The Sermon on the Mount is actually translated as “anxious.” It literally
means, “To divide the mind.” Isn’t that a great mental picture? Worry divides
the focus of our minds. It takes our attention from what is utmost, and
scatters it here and there, resulting in a complete lack of direction if we
aren’t careful. So how do we guard against a divided mind? Jesus’ answer was
clear: “Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness…” (Matthew 6:33). So maybe
the question isn’t, “How do I keep from worrying?” Maybe a more fruitful
approach is, “What am I seeking?” Nothing focuses the mind like the Holy Spirit
of God. He puts our lives into perspective, pulling out the weeds of this world
that can choke out the fruit of the Spirit. As a child of God, we have the
incredible privilege of coming to Him in prayer. This sacred time with Him is
our opportunity to lay all of our burdens at His feet. The problem is, we tend
to lay them there, and then pick them back up. Are we more capable of solving
problems than He? Have we more resources? More knowledge? More wisdom? More
love? Of course not! So we must lay them down in sincere faith, and leave them
there in unwavering trust. Where are your burdens? Are they dividing your mind
- distracting you and robbing you of joyful living? Or, are they where they
belong – in the capable hands of your loving, sovereign Father?
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