Don’t Be A Worrywart?

Luke 12:22-34 

Someone who is constantly anxious about things is often called a worrywart.  Few people have worry-free lives.  Some worry about their families.  Others worry about their jobs.  Still others worry about their health.  Some even worry because they do not have anything to worry about.  I believe we all worry over something from time to time even though we know it does no good.

Jesus emphatically tells us not to worry, saying, “Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment” (Luke 12:22-23).  It is not a suggestion, it is a commandment.  We miss what life is all about when we let worry dominate our thoughts.  Worry offers no positive change in anything we do.  It degrades our quality of life.  God provides all we need.

Why do we worry?  Jesus hints at the reason—lack of faith and fear.  Look around at God’s creation.  The flowers and birds are provided for by God.  We too are God’s creation and He will provide for us. 

Jesus knows us well: “O ye of little faith!”  The disciples sleeping in the boat awoke to a fierce storm and feared for their lives: “O ye of little faith!”  Peter walking on the water took his eyes off Jesus.  Jesus said to Peter, “O ye of little faith.”  Again he said these words to the disciples in Luke 12:28.  Place your faith in Jesus; trust in His words.  Jesus is in control.

The next time you are tempted to worry remember these comforting words of our Savior, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me” (John 14:1).  The most troubling though ever is worry over our eternal home.  God has provided a place of rest and security for all of His obedient children.  Jesus has promised to come again so that we might be where He is.

Yours in the love of Christ,

Thomas Sneed

Pond Church of Christ