The Worry Factor

Scripture:  Matthew 6:34 (NKJV) - Therefore do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about its own things.  Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Over the years I’ve observed that unbelievers generally appear--superficially anyway-- to be worried about very little, if anything.  Perhaps many subscribe to the “fake it til you make it” philosophy—FITYMI.  Essentially this slogan says that “by imitating the qualities of confidence, competence, and an optimistic mindset,” one can realize these attributes in one’s actual life.  F.I.T.Y.M.I., though quite pithy, and bears some truth to a limited degree, has a major problem—it omits God from the life equation!

This “fake it til you make it” aphorism promotes the idea that faith in one’s self helps one’s self improve, according to one Online definition.  Worry, however, is best eliminated by a far more enduring and eternal principle—one promoted by the verse preceding today’s Scripture selection:  “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”  (Matt. 6:33) What things? a casual reader may ask.  All things which are needful in this life—food, clothing, and shelter!

Worry over who will occupy the Oval Office this November, or  when the next recession will occur, and a host of countless other issues, should not cause those who trust in Christ to join the H.W.C.A.-- “Hand-wringers Club of America.”  Yet, we are charged by Jesus our Lord to be wise stewards over the resources He entrusts to us—financial provisions, gifts, abilities, etc., and, yes, make plans for the future,  plans for your retirement, since planning for tomorrow, many  agree, is time well spent and helps us to minimize worrying; BUT permitting our plans to overshadow our relationship with and service to our Lord and Savior denies our profession of really trusting in Him. When all is said and done, isn’t our faith in God’s promises the all-important difference between our confidence amid life’s ever-challenging circumstances and the “pseudo” (false) confidence of those who reject the gospel of Christ?

Prayer:  Dear Father, help us to be people who avoid both extremes—worrying, without taking any constructive action in the face of difficult circumstances, or  being overly confident in making our plans for the future-- plans which foolishly omit You and Your plans and purposes for our lives from the center of all we aspire to do.  Thank You, in Jesus’ name!

(by Denise Diggs)