What we worry about reveals why we worry, which gives us the opportunity to trust in Jesus. We tend to worry about a lot of things. We worry about how much money we’ll have after we get paid. We worry about what people will think or say about us. We worry about our health. We worry about our kids. We worry about our vehicles. We worry about our homes being safe. We worry about having a place to live. We worry about how we’ll pay our bills. There are many things to worry about in this life and we all struggle with worry. What we worry about reveals why we worry which gives us the opportunity to trust in Jesus.
In Matthew 6:25 – 34 Jesus says…
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
What do you worry about? Why do you worry about that? How is Jesus the ultimate fulfillment of your worries?
Why do we worry about having enough money? This is an issue of security right? We want to be secure. Why do we worry about what people think or say about us? This is an issue of acceptance right? We want to be accepted. Why do we worry about our health? This is an issue of longevity right? We want to live for a long time. Why do we worry about someone breaking into our homes? This is an issue of safety right? We want to be safe. What we worry about reveals why we worry which gives us the opportunity to trust in Jesus.
The desires to be secure or to be accepted or to extend our lives as long as possible or be safe are all good desires. And it’s good to take practical steps to fulfill those desires in healthy, God-honoring ways. But at the same time, every pragmatic step we take is absolutely worthless if we haven’t found the ultimate fulfillment of those desires in Christ. Ultimately, Jesus gives us eternal acceptance, security and safety. This is the promise of the gospel.
In the moments where my soul is filled with worry about security or acceptance or longevity or safety, I can find rest and lasting peace in the presence of Christ as I remember his promises to accept me as I am and to hold on to me forever and to keep me safe for all of eternity. What we worry about reveals why we worry which gives us the opportunity to trust in Jesus.
What do you worry about? Why do you worry about that? How is Jesus the ultimate fulfillment of your worries? What you worry about reveals why you worry which gives you the opportunity to trust in Jesus.