“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? 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? And which of you by being anxious can add one single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 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? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Matthew 6:25-34
In a post-pandemic world, there is still much anxiety among people in our societies. The news media do little to help; they tend to be purveyors and propagators of bad news and rumors. This produces fear in a person’s heart and mind, intensifying apprehensions. With so much going on in the world, it might seem that all hope is lost and that God is not in control. However, God’s Word exposes this as a false narrative that we (sometimes) embrace and nurture in our minds. This only occurs when we take our eyes off the divine truths and promises of Jesus and become too distracted by the present-day realities of life (Matthew 14:22-33).
Here are two Biblical truths that help us recover such heaven-mindedness:
Truth #1: Trust Not Your Eyes
Jesus taught that we should not have an anxious heart. Why? If God cares for His creation, such as the birds of the air and the grass in the field, how much more does He care for us, who are created in His very image? He provides for all our needs. When we yield to worry, it can shipwreck our faith.
To be clear, we will face troubles and fears in this life, but the Bible commands us to cast our cares upon God (Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Peter 5:6-7; Proverbs 12:25). In times like these, we need to be strengthened in faith that trusts in the goodness and sovereignty of God.
Truth #2: Trust in God, Who Is Unseen
Our true need is only satisfied in the presence of God through Christ alone. Worrying deflects and blinds us from the wonderful grace and truth that God is in control and cares for His people. Remember, He knows our past, present, and future (Isaiah 46:8-10). He is not shaken, nor is He surprised by the many trials and tribulations of our day. When we cast our cares on God, He frees and unburdens us so that we can find rest in Him. In such prayer, our attention is refocused, clarity is provided, and we will be able to see our marvelous God, who has already prepared for and knows our needs before we ask Him.
Let us trust God always, especially in times of trouble and lack, for He is faithful. Let us be encouraged by the words of King David, who declared of God, “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread“ (Psalm 37:25).
Amen!
Dr. Jason S. Price, Th.D
www.springoflivingwaters.com
Find us on Facebook: