Matthew 6:25–34 (ESV)
Do Not Be Anxious
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.
I could shorten this reading and break it down, but
I don’t want to. I think it is best to read the whole passage as one unit. My mother was a worrier and worried about many things. I read this passage to her over and over. It would bring comfort to her until the next day and it
seems it would start all over again. There are several parts that I want to emphasize. We are told not to worry… but Jesus says: “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” I ask, what
will worrying accomplish? Nothing, except it may speed up your death and health problems by creating additional stress. Instead of worrying, Jesus tells us to refocus: “33 But seek first the kingdom of God
and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” So… take your eyes off yourself and focus them on the kingdom of God. Jesus also reminds us to take one day at a time: “34 “Therefore
do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
I pray: O Lord, help me to not worry, but to trust in you and your ways. Let me become less and focus more on you. Amen.