No Worth to Worry

Anxiety is a killer.  It, like a snake, slithers into the back of our minds wearing the mask of preparation and security, settles into our hearts under the guise of concern, and ultimately fixes itself in our souls as doubt in God's provision and providence.  Worry destroys our ability to have faith because when we worry we are not relying on the Lord.

Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7), uses a vivid word picture to describe the uselessness of anxiety and worry.  Jesus points to the lilies of the field that neither labor nor spin but are clothed in more splendor than Solomon ever was.  Or the birds of the field, they neither reap nor sow nor store in barns yet the Father in heaven feeds them.

Jesus' point is summed up in two verses: "who by worrying can add a single hour to his life (Matt. 6:27)"; and, "do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.  Every day has its own troubles (Matt. 6:34)."  Jesus wants to make it clear that worrying serves no Kingdom purpose but is a distraction from Kingdom work.

Worry and anxiety are real.  Our world is inundated with prescriptions, procedures, and methods for dealing with the unsettling panic of worry.  These will inevitably fail because we are trying to treat symptoms and not the deeper issue, which is doubt.  Doubt.  God is the provider of our every deepest desire.  He wants to do this, He longs to provide for us.

When we find ourselves worrying or anxious, these are symptoms of a much deeper longing for God's provision and security in our lives.  He is to be our provider as we are faithful and steadfast to rely on Him to provide.  Therefore, worry is a sign that we are not secure in our faithfulness but we are shaky and doubtful that God holds all things in His mighty hands.

Both Paul and Peter are clear that Christians should not worry but in prayer and devotion cast their  anxieties on the Lord who is sure to provide and secure His children (Phil. 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:7).  The Lord is the source of our comfort and security.  Ultimately, we should rely on God to provide.  He is the one who is to get the glory for our lives.  Let us then not worry about how things will come about but let us trust that the Lord who loves us perfectly will care for us, our deepest needs and desires!