Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. Matthew 6:33–34 (NLT)
Every generation faces challenges, but it is hard to imagine that life has ever been as hectic and fast-paced as it is today. For me, the weeks seem to fly by. Someone once said, “Time flies by when you are having fun.” But it passes by fast whether we are having fun or not!
Experts inform us that this fast-paced life often results in a greater level of stress and anxiety. I know from first-hand experience that unless I prioritize the activities of my life, I will not accomplish as much, and almost certainly, I will neglect essentials.
With so many things competing for our attention, what can we do to be most effective in fulfilling the mission that God has given each one of us? Jesus provides us with the direction needed to prioritize our lives, allowing us to concentrate on the things that matter.
Jesus tells us not to worry because God will take care of us. But for God to have the most significant impact on our lives, we must have the trust and confidence in Him and be willing to prioritize our lives according to Him and His desires for us.
The Father Knows What We Need
Is it any surprise to God that each of us needs the essentials of life to have enough to eat and clothes to wear? According to Jesus, unbelievers are consumed with pursuing these things, but we as believers must trust that God will supply our needs. The second half of Matthew 6:32 says, “But your heavenly Father already knows is all your needs.”
For Christ-followers, the foundation of a life not consumed with worry is understanding that the Father knows what we need. Furthermore, not only does He know what we need, but He is desirous of supplying everything that we need. Please understand me; we still must work, but we work with the understanding that God provides the strength and knowledge we need.
For some people, the knowledge that God wants to give us good things and bless us is more complicated than it is for others. Some have trusted God to meet their needs, while others have questions and concerns. But knowing that God is good and knows what we need is essential to living without worry.
Don’t Worry, Be Holy
“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? Matthew 6:25 (NLT)
Understanding that God is good and knows what we need is a good beginning. But to set our priorities correctly, we must deal with worry and overcome it. Just because we know it is futile to worry doesn’t mean we are always successful in removing worry and doubt from our lives. Sometimes, the knowledge that we should trust God when worrying will worsen things. I know that in my own life, there have been more than a few occasions when I was worried, and my worries increased by the fact that I was worried about worrying.
If you want to overcome worry, draw near to God. The Bible reminds us, “If we seek him, we will find him if we search for him with all of our hearts.” Paul explains how we can overcome worry:
Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Philippians 4:6-7 (The Message)
We must understand that when we prioritize Jesus, the other work will go much easier and efficiently, with much less worry. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT). Sometimes, it is not easy to trust God, but it is the only way to live without worry.
Choose Wisely
In the Indiana Jones movie, “The Last Crusade,” the ancient knight guarding the sacred chalice warned those who approached to “Choose wisely.” We must choose our priorities carefully since we have the promise that if we seek God’s kingdom and righteousness, God will give us everything we need. What are the implications of setting our priorities and not pursuing God’s agenda in our lives? The Call to follow God came long before Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount.
I’ve brought you today to the crossroads of Blessing and Curse. The Blessing: if you listen obediently to the commandments of GOD, your God, which I command you today. The Curse: if you don’t pay attention to the commandments of GOD, your God, but leave the road that I command you today, following other gods of which you know nothing. Deuteronomy 11:26-28 (The Message)
When God is our priority, he will bless us in more ways than we can imagine, and we will be fruitful and productive members of his body, the Church. But if we neglect the things of God and pursue our agenda, storing up for ourselves treasures on earth where inflation and taxes consume what we have worked hard to gain, we will be that much poorer.
Who is our Priority?
We must make it our priority to understand that God knows what we need and wants to give us good gifts. Secondly, the key to overcoming worry in our lives is not the pursuit of happiness but the pursuit of holiness. Beautiful things will happen when we place Christ at the center of our lives and priorities! Finally, we must make wise choices that impact this life and eternity.
Steve Ekeroth