Seven Reasons NOT to WORRY from Matthew 6

Karen and I, in our devotion some time ago in Matthew 6, were sharing the various aspects of truth from this great chapter about the greatest sermon ever preached (The Sermon on the Mount).  We discussed HOW to stay focused on the important (eternal) vs. the urgent (often temporal) in our daily life. Numerous opportunities to worry about many things in life are a daily challenge. One of the footnotes in our study bible listed seven reasons not to worry that I listed below. How appropriate it is during the COVID-19 distancing challenges and stay at home directives of the past 30 days.

Without regular spiritual RECALIBRATION, we often fall into acting like unbelievers and dwell on all the reasons to be "worried" in an ever-increasing dysfunctional society. Can you say COVID-19? Can you say social-distancing? Can you say lay-off from jobs? Can you say no school? Can you say how much we miss assembling ourselves together for worship and word? Can you say no sit-down restaurants?  Can you say stimulus checks? Can you say political posturing during our country's challenge with the virus?

Jesus reminds us how to PRIORITIZE our DAILY LIFE .... Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these other "things" will be added to you... Matthew 6:33.   An amazing eternal truth that is still relevant and applicable 24/7/365 on this day in 2020.

I remember reading the story of how DEATH was walking toward a city when a man stopped death and said - "What are you going to do? Death replied, I am going to kill 10,000 people."  The man responded, "that's horrible."  Death said, "Well that's the way it is.  It's what I do." The next day the man met death on his return journey and said, "Death, you told me yesterday you were going to kill 10,000 people, yet 70,000 were killed." Death shrugged his shoulders and said, "Well, I only killed 10,000.  Worry and fear killed the others."

WORRY is a thin stream of FEAR trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained.     - Arthur Somers Roche -

Someone said... Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but doesn't get you anywhere.

SEVEN REASONS NOT TO WORRY ,,,,, Matthew 6:25-34

Matthew 6:25 The same God who created life in you can be trusted with the details of your life.

Matthew 6:26  Worrying about the future hampers your efforts for today.

Matthew 6:27  Worrying is more harmful than helpful.

Matthew 6:28-30 God does not ignore those who depend on him.

Matthew 6:31-32 Worrying shows a lack of faith in and understanding of God.

Matthew 6:33 Worrying keeps us from real challenges God wants us to pursue.

Matthew 6:34 Living one day at a time keeps us from being consumed with worry.