Creatures of Habit Shembull

The sixth chapter of Matthew is a part of Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount. In this sermon Jesus showed people how following him was going to differ from following the Old Testament Law. In fact, seven times in the chapter Jesus said, “Don’t worry.” Here’s an example: “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” (Matt. 6:25–27).

When Jesus commands his disciples not to worry about earthly things, such as food and clothing, that doesn’t mean he wants us to walk around starving and naked. It just means that instead of being distracted and preoccupied by material things, we need to focus on the things of God. Jesus is reminding us that God has promised to supply our material needs.

If I told my kids that from now on, I would make their car payments, do you think they would ever worry about those car payments again? Of course not. They would no longer give it a thought because they know me, and they know I will keep my word. If that is true with me, how much more is it true with our heavenly father?

To worry about something you can’t change is useless, and to worry about something you can change, well . . . it’s kind of dumb. If you can change it, then change it. Don’t sit and worry about it.

Prayer:

Father, I am sorry for spending so much of my time worrying. I trust your will and wisdom, and I give all of my worries over to you. Amen.