Jesus gave instructions about seeking the right reward and treasure. But what about our daily necessities? The daily provision of practical needs represents a call to faith in God, our Provider. In verse 25, Jesus commands believers not to worry: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?”
To worry about life’s provisions is to fail to believe God, who is He says He is and will do what He says He will do – The Creator and Sustainer of the universe owns everything, controls everything, and provides everything. Anxiety over daily needs reveals a lack of belief that God is loving, caring, and able to do anything to help. Because worry is such a common response to life’s pressures, we often fail to recognize its seriousness. We easily justify worry and fail to see it as a sin against God.
When we worry, we fail to stand on truth – We magnify the challenges and imagine worst-case scenarios. To focus on our helplessness and hopelessness is to ignore the truth of our status as God’s children. Jesus has taken care of our biggest problem – God’s wrath against our sin. He has opened the way for a renewed relationship with God.
Jesus knows we most often worry about daily provisions such as food, clothing, and shelter (verses 26 to 32) – He points to God’s faithful care for creatures, far less important than people created in His image. God feeds the birds, who do not plant gardens or store away food and never worry about their next meal. He clothes the flowers with buds and blooms more glorious than the regal splendor of King Solomon, the richest king ever. God clothes the grass of the field, which springs up only to be cast into the fire. If God invests this kind of care in his creation, won’t He also feed and clothe you and me?
His care goes beyond physical needs. God may give the comfort of His presence in famine and pandemic, and He may provide peace while facing death. God’s care for His children is certain although experienced in a variety of ways. Therefore, we must not worry. Worry will not add a single hour to our life. In fact, worry contributes to a multitude of health problems. Worry seizes our minds and puts our focus on our circumstances, not God. People in this world who do not know God, live a frenzied life running after things only He can provide. This is not the way God intends His children to live. God loves you and me more than birds or flowers. There is more to life than a meal or an outfit. To worry over these temporal life issues is to forget that God is our Provider and this world is not our home.
Jesus offered three faith-filled solutions to the real problem of worry –
God knows your needs – How can one overcome worry? How can we live life in a world of uncertainty without anxiety or stress? Remember who God is and what He knows. God is our Heavenly Father, who holds Himself responsible for our welfare. He knows our needs. The omniscient, omnipotent God can be trusted with our needs.
Seek God’s Kingdom – Intentionally focus on His kingdom… “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Jesus encouraged believers to make God’s rule and reign, their life focus. Nothing in this life is more important than living in surrender to the King, who met our greatest need and can be trusted with everything else.
Leave tomorrow in God’s Hands – Worry centers on the future – unresolved issues beyond our control. While good planning for the future is necessary, we cannot do anything today about tomorrow. As children of God, we should not worry about tomorrow’s trouble, but find contentment in God’s daily provision of grace. Seeking God and His Kingdom brings the only real security in life. Our worry and anxiety reveal what we treasure
and trust. We can live a life free from worry because we can communicate our burdens to God, and trust our Heavenly Father with what we need. Our greatest need has been met by Christ.
Hard things seem to lurk around the dark corners in front of us. As humans, we succumb to anxiety over what we cannot control. In truth, we cannot guarantee even our next breath. Though we often wrongly define our wants as needs, God can be trusted to supply what we truly need. Let us not forget how the Lord has provided for us during the pandemic, even when many had no jobs and went through very difficult days. But the Lord so beautifully provided for each one of us.
So, are you worried about anything? Are your thoughts wandering? You cannot worry and trust God at the same time. So let us trust God for the grace we need for each day.
Mrs. Sharmila Amanna
U.B.M Christha Mahima Church, Vasai
