Matthew 6:34 ~ Do Not Worry
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told his hearers there was no need for them to spend time worrying.
Jesus’ message is as appropriate today as ever. He said; don’t worry about how your life will turn out, what you will eat and drink, or what clothes you will wear, because life is more than just food, and the body is more than the clothes we wear.
Look at the birds in the sky. Jesus said they don’t work, yet God in heaven provides food for them. Worrying does not add time to our lives, he said; look at the lilies in the field (he meant all the wildflowers; lilies, crocus’, anemones, and gladiolas); they do not work either, and yet they are clothed in finer outerwear than a king might wear.
Jesus says that if God will provide food for the birds and fine clothes for wildflowers, how much more will he provide for people who love Him and strive for his kingdom and righteousness.
He concluded this part of his sermon by saying; So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today. You can read the full version here Matthew 6:25-34 NRSV
Reflection on Matthew 6:25-34
Jesus had a great attitude most of the time. He mainly was happy, relaxed, positive, and living in the moment (he did mindfulness long before it became popular in western culture).
God created this world for the most amazing part of his creation, us – human beings. But Jesus knew that it is easy for mere mortals like us to get into a habit of worry. It can rub off on others and even become a national obsession.
In the global travels of my younger days, I noticed that some countries seemed inclined to quite an excessive level of worry, whilst others were inclined to a ‘let it be’ type attitude. I can sometimes worry excessively; then, other times am quite happy to shrug my shoulders at life – a middle way, I like to think.
But, we were not created to be worriers but rather warriors for Christ. How would it be if we handed all our worries over to Jesus and then got on with the work of drawing closer to God in peace, calm, serenity, and tranquillity?
What a wonderful blessing it would be to live like this; it is something that all the money in the world could not buy. Maybe it would rub off onto others, too, and God would be pleased and smile upon us all?
Prayer can help us do this, and we can pray at any time of the day or night because God is always with us, around us, and within us. So wherever we are, we can speak to God in whatever way we feel comfortable, name our worries, and then leave them with Him. It is amazing how troubles gradually recede by handing them over like this.
Let us pray this prayer St Paul gave us together;
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NRSV
Other prayers you might find helpful are:
