Don’t Worry About It

THIS WEEK’S FOCUSED SCRIPTURE

Luke 12: 22-26 (NIV) - 22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.”

THOUGHTS FROM DALE‍

This may be the issue that we deal with more than any other, against the framework of some of the clearest words of Jesus on an issue. I can’t imagine counting the wasted hours worrying during my lifetime about things that either didn’t matter or resolved without my mental intervention.  

It’s pretty clear: Do not worry about your life – specifically food; about your body – specifically what you will wear. I don’t worry about apocalyptic events to the point that I’m storing food in a bunker to live on for 20 years (please don’t be offended if you do).  But I am guilty of worrying over life issues (bills, retirement), body (health), and what I will wear (or live in, or drive, or...). Certainly, life on earth brings responsibilities and the requirement to be diligent in our work, but like the ravens, we can trust God to provide for our needs.

We pass off our worrying as “everyone does it,” which is true. We toss and turn at night running over useless thoughts. But I am struck by the truth that, “…the pagan world runs after all such things.” This position validates worry as a destructive force.

This passage concludes in verse 34: For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Let’s consider where our real treasure is, with some insight provided by the times when worry seems to overtake us. I pray that all of us can take those thoughts captive and, instead, focus on trusting God to provide every need.