"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." KJV
Being anxious is very human. There are millions of people who go to bed and wake up every day in an anxious state. Considering the state of the world, the cost of living, unemployment, not to mention wars and rumors of war (rumour's for our English visitors), natural disasters etc, it is not hard to realize why.
But Jesus tells us not to worry or be anxious about tomorrow. But that is easier said than done. So why would Jesus say this to us? Does He not understand and does He not have compassion? Absolutely He understands and has made a way for us where there is no way. He will "even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert." Isa 43:19 He promised that we "can do all things through Christ that gives us strength" Phil 4:13
I have been through many trials in my 62 years of life. Some of them seemed insurmountable, but God always brought us through. Life is full of surprises and things go wrong in this imperfect world. Learning to trust God in all things is not something that we can do overnight, but as He proves Himself to be the faithful provider, merciful, compassionate and long suffering, we will change from being negative to being more positive.
So what exactly does God mean when He says "do not be anxious or worry about tomorrow"? He is saying "put your trust in Me, I will see you through" and take care of your future.
Luke 12:28 (Amp) says : "But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and green and tomorrow is tossed into the furnace, will He not much more surely clothe you, O you of little faith? : Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, What are we going to have to eat? or, What are we going to have to drink? or, What are we going to have to wear?
He is giving us a clue here. Saying what we do not have is not the answer, because the more we say it the more we are going to believe it. The more we believe it, the more negative we are going to become. Faith and negativity don't mix. I cannot be negative and be in faith at the same time.
What I have found, in my life is, having things does not make me more positive. In fact, when having things becomes our priority, we open ourselves to frustration, anxiety, worry and fear and when we don't get them, we feel like failures.
Think about this for a moment. What made people feel prosperous and successful, just a few years ago? People felt secure when they purchased their own home and felt prosperous as they watched the value of their asset increase year after year.
But for millions, that feeling of security changed quickly when the housing market went belly up. People lost hundreds of thousands in a very short space of time. The feeling of prosperity and security was gone.
But for millions, that feeling of security changed quickly when the housing market went belly up. People lost hundreds of thousands in a very short space of time. The feeling of prosperity and security was gone.
The truth is there is no security in the worldly system. Without a deep fellowship with God many will not make it through these times of distress, without falling into depression and all the negative things that brings. That's why Jesus says "take no thought" Don't dwell on it and fill your minds with negatives. Worry and anxiety about how we are going to make it through, will only keep us awake at night and cause our bodies to suffer physically.
Mat. 6:33 states : "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." The kingdom of God is where He is and about what He wants to do in and through us. As we stay in fellowship with Him and allow Him to direct us, He will make a way for us.
There is hope in the final outcome. Jeremiah 29:11 (Amplified Bible) "For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome."
"Father, help us to overcome our fear and anxiety about tomorrow. Fill us with your peace today so that we can stop worrying about tomorrow. Thank You that You are our provider and will never leave us nor forsake us. Amen"
God bless you.
Gil Howard-Browne
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Wow, now I remember why I always loved listening to Gil so much!
ReplyDelete"Faith and negativity don't mix" - well said and a point I pray I remember!
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