We live in a world that makes it very easy for us to worry. Worry is concern over the future. The problem with the person who looks out into the future is twofold. First of all, the future is not here. And second, the future is not ours. No one but God knows its true shape. 

Jesus said that when we get so caught up in the cares of this world, it takes us away from our ability to hear and understand the Word of God. In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus uses the expression “Do not worry” three times, and in doing so, He gives us five things that we need to know about worry. 

First, He tells us that worry is inconsistent with our faith. Jesus says in verse 25, “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?” God would not have given us life, and He would not have created our bodies without also providing those things that are necessary to sustain us. If you believe in a creator God, you also must believe in a sustainer God. 

Second, worry is irrational. “Look at the birds of the air,” Jesus says in verse 26. “They neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” God almighty provides for the birds. Don’t you think He’ll provide for you?

Next, worry is ineffective. It doesn’t work. “Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?” (Matthew 6:27). You cannot use worry to accomplish your goal. It’s futile, and if you try it, all it will do is ruin your life.

Fourth, worry is illogical. In verses 28-30, Jesus says: “Why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all of his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” If you know Jesus, you are eternal, and if God takes such great care of the temporal, don’t you think He’s going to take great care of the eternal? 

Fifth, worry is irresponsible. Verse 31 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.” 

Jesus’ words are stunning. The word Gentile in the text is often translated pagan, so He is saying that when you worry, you act like a pagan. You act like somebody who doesn’t know God, who doesn’t have a family or a Father. You act like an orphan. 

It is amazing to me how many of God’s people go through the problems of life that create worry in their hearts and never tell God about them. I think some Christians are embarrassed to go before the throne in Heaven and say, “Lord God, I’m having a real struggle here, and I need Your help.” If you read the Psalms, you’ll see David pouring out his heart to God in every imaginable situation. And these aren’t veiled prayers, they’re gut-level prayers: “Lord God, I need help.” You have a Father in Heaven; you have a family on Earth, and they were created to be helpful to you. Don’t try to do all this by yourself. 

Also in Matthew 6, Jesus tells us how to overcome worry. The first thing He says is to commit your life completely to Him. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” (verse 33). You get up in the morning and say, “Lord, this day is Yours. My children are Yours. My wife is Yours, my ministry is Yours, my health is Yours,” and you give it to God. And don’t take it back. Give Him everything and trust Him with it. 

And focus on today, not tomorrow. “Tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (verse 34). Every day we have in life is going to come with some adversity, some things that will make us anxious. So in order to avoid being overwhelmed, Jesus says we need to teach ourselves how to live in day-tight compartments. Live every day unto itself. Don’t dwell on your tomorrows and don’t dwell on your yesterdays. This is the key that will lock the door on worry and open the door to peace. ©2014 Turning Point 

Scriptures are taken from The Holy Bible, New King James Version. 

This article was adapted from a sermon preached by David Jeremiah at Shadow Mountain Community Church on Oct. 19, 2014.  

David Jeremiah has served as the senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, California, for more than 40 years. He is the founder of Turning Point MInistries and has written more than 150 books.