Choose Worry or God

Choose Worry or God(2)

Matthew 6 25-34

In the Peanuts cartoon, Linus tells Charlie Brown, “When I hear those coyotes howling at night, it totally depresses me. I start to feel lonely… Then I get scared.”

Charlie Brown says: “I thought holding onto that blanket made you secure.”

Linus replies, “I think the warranty has run out.”

Most “security blankets” are expired. My son Azad had one. He loved to hold it, but not anymore.

The American Psychological Association says that 48% of Americans say they are more stresses now than five years ago.

In a book entitled “Stop Worrying and Get Well” a noted physician called attention that worry causes the following: heart trouble, high blood pressure, some forms of asthma, rheumatism, ulcers, cold, thyroid malfunction, arthritis, migraine, and many stomach disorders.

Jesus knew our problem years ago. In the Armenian sermon I delivered two points:

1- God, who gave us life, will take care of us (25).

2- We can learn from nature (26-27).

3- Look at the Lilies (28-30)

Again, Jesus gives an example from nature, this time lilies (Literally wild flowers).

Remember Palestine was not Switzerland. I grew up in Syria where nature is similar to that of Palestine. In Spring, my father drove us outside Aleppo to enjoy the fields. I remember the beautiful wild flowers blooming between the rocks. Their life was very short. In fact, they would dry out in a week and were good only for fire. IN the old times, Palestinian women used this type of dried flowers to burn their ovens.

What is Jesus’ point?

If God gives such beauty to a short-lived flower, how much more will He care for humans? Even Solomon’s royal clothing could not match the beauty of those wild flowers. God is the best designer and creator of beauty.

Trust God.

If God values birds and lilies, how about our lives? The NIV commentary puts it best:. “If God’s sustaining care extends to such a transitory part of his creation, “will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?”.^1”

Indeed, I wish we had enough faith to believe in this. Jesus uses this phrase: “O you of little faith”. This does not mean we do not have faith, we do, but it is little. It is not the absence of faith; it is the deficiency of faith. Therefore, be encouraged and have faith.

4- Don’t act like ungodly people (pagans) (31-32)

When Jesus used the word pagans, he meant people who do not believe in God. People who live with worldly values. People who do not care about anyone rather than themselves and their possessions. They operate outside God’s values.

In reality to worry means not trusting God. When we a have relationship with God, we experience His love and care. Our intimate relationship helps us to learn to trust Him. We learn to call Him Daddy. Worrying is saying we distrust God.

Pagans do not know God. Jesus says, “God knows that we need food and shelter.” “He knows it and He provides it according to his will.” “³²For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” He knows that we need them. Just trust in Him. Just trust.

5- Solution for not worrying (33)

Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.

The word righteousness is very important.

In the same sermon (Sermon of the Mount), Jesus talked about the righteousness that Pharisees practiced. He did not agree with their teachings and challenged them. We did study this in our Bible Study groups. He said:

“For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” (5:20)

Who can surpass the Pharisees? They were experts in keeping the law. The problem was that they became worshipers of the law and not God.

Jesus gave the solution. Only through Him one can be righteous before God.

What does it mean practically?

Seeking God’s will, being in His kingdom and experiencing God’s righteousness is the center of our Christian faith and growth.

We are justified by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now that we have found righteousness in our lives, we need to continue in “seeking” pursuing righteousness in this dark world.

Jesus giving the solution to his disciples. Make the kingdom of God center of your life. Make it a priority. This is the only way we defeat worry, when we concentrate on God’s kingdom. Jesus believed that worry will diminish, or vanish when God becomes the dominating power of our lives.

When God is the center of our lives, our desires become secondary.

When God is in the center of our lives, we are no more self-centered and are able to care and be concerned about the needs of others. Isn’t worry selfish?

When we worry about others, or we are concerned for others, our worries become secondary or almost vanish. When most of the time we worry about what to eat, what to wear, where to go on vacation, how big our home is, what kind of car one should drive…. on and on and on, of course we are burdened with worry. But when our lives are God-centered, “others” become important. Our focus will be on serving and not being served.

6- Another solution to defeat worry: Take one day at a time (34).

One day at a time is Jesus’ suggestion to us. Day by day we learn to go with the Lord. Remember the concept of “daily bread”. Each day is a new day. Each day God has a new potential for us. Worrying about tomorrow will not change it a bit. Each day has enough problems, learn to face daily problems and try to solve them with the help of the Lord.

Paul puts it best. Paul who suffered, was in prison, and beaten many times, said to the church of Philippi,

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

In conclusion:

Trust God.

Plan and work hard.

Worry is our enemy. Focus on God.

Let God be center of your life and help you view life from a different angle.

May God through His Spirit equip you to go out and be His servants.