How often do you find yourself worrying?  We probably all worry at times, but it certainly should not characterize who we are.  If we worry all the time, it demonstrates a lack of faith, which, of course, is a serious heart problem – one that is fatal if it is not rectified.  To make things worse, worrying does not accomplish anything, it just makes things worse.  Someone has said that worrying is like putting your car in neutral and revving the engine—it burns oil and gas and is hard on the engine, but it doesn’t get you anywhere.  No one knew this more than Jesus. 

Matthew 6:25 (ESV)
²⁵  “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious 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?

Jesus is arguing against worrying based on the logic of life.  Since God has given us life, it is illogical to think He will not provide us with the things necessary to sustain that life (food).  And, again, if God has given us a body, will He not give us what we need to protect it (clothing)?

Jesus actually makes several points in Matthew 6:25-34 that should help us avoid being anxious all time.  Not only is it illogical, but it also shows that we have forgotten how important we are to God.

Matthew 6:26 (ESV)
²⁶  Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

We are the crowning point of God’s creation, created in His image, and after His likeness (Genesis 1;26).  That cannot be said of the birds of the air; yet, God cares for them.  If He takes care of them, it makes no sense to think He would not take care of us, as long as we are seeking Him first in our lives (ver. 33).

Maybe the most damning point Jesus makes against those who worry all the time is that it calls into question the love of God.

Matthew 6:31-32 (ESV)
³¹  Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³²  For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.

Would any loving father know his children needed something, have the means to meet their needs, yet ignore them?  Those of us who are parents can answer that question without hesitation, can’t we?  I can never remember a time when my wife or I ever purposely neglected our children, refusing to provide for them the necessities of life.  We love them too much to do such a thing.

Does God love His children less than we love ours?  Of course not!  He has shown us more unconditional love than we could ever show our children, and there is no reason to conclude that He will not continue to take care of us.  Don’t allow yourself to be a worrier.  Instead, trust God.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.