Text: Matthew 6.25-34 (Read it here.)

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
(Matthew 6.25, 33, NIV)

Don’t Worry
Author: Rob Anderson

Simple question for you:

What causes you to worry?

Take a moment to write a list of everything you worry about. No, seriously, get a piece of paper and on it, list your worries. Everything. Even if it is sort of a kind of worry or perhaps something that could be a worry if this or that did or did not happen. Whatever it is, write it down.

Got a good list going? Good.

Tear it up.

Throw it away.

Repeat after me:

Today, I will seek your Kingdom, Lord. I know the kingdom I seek is often the one that entails money, happiness, and contentment from the things I have. I know I feel rewarded by being popular, funny, or by appearing to have everything all together.

I also know, Lord, that I don’t have it together and all of these things and more are the priorities of a false kingdom, which is really no kingdom at all.

So today, Lord, like the birds and the flowers, I simply seek you and your sovereign care for me, knowing by the truth of your word that you will take care of me.

Today, Lord, I refuse to worry.

Questions:

Matthew, writing the words of Jesus, says: do not worry about your life. Why is this so easy to say, yet so difficult to actually do for so many of us?

How does knowing that God cares for you help ease worry that might be present in your life?

When one focuses only on the kingdom of God, one has less time—and need—to worry about your own provisions. Given this, what sort of actions help you focus on the kingdom of God? How does being a part of God’s kingdom help actually provide for things you need? What examples of this would you give to support your answer?