Why Worry?

The political stability of major nations like France, Spain, Italy and lesser powers such as Greece and Portugal is in the balance as the experts and power brokers try to sort it all out in top-level conferences and back-room wrangling.

Meanwhile, on the street, people are feeling the pinch of much higher costs for food, fuel and other necessities. Unemployment is at the highest levels since the Great Depression of the late 1920s and 1930s. The plummeting value of residential and commercial real estate, once a safe haven for homeowners and investors, has contributed to the feeling of unease and lack of confidence that grips the citizens of many nations today.

Reactions to these serious problems range from apathy to radicalism. There are various movements protesting these conditions, on both sides of the issues, with violence in the streets erupting in many places. In the face of all this, there is severe drought in widespread areas of the globe while other areas are devastated by flooding. Can starvation and disease be far behind?

All of this can be overwhelming. But, what is a Christian to do? How should one who is seeking the Kingdom of God react to all these perplexing, seemingly intractable problems? There are answers to these important questions.

For example, Jesus said, in instructing His disciples about being focused on God’s providence, “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:26-34).

Notice that Jesus told us to consider the creation, and by its example to realize that the Creator can and will provide for us. Even the lowly ant is used as a good example from which we can learn (Proverbs 6:6-8). We have our part to do, but reliance on God and His intervention is the key.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6). With all the uncertainty and danger in the world, it is important for us to stay focused on God, and on His plan for mankind—which includes you!

To learn more about the kind of worry-free life God wants you to lead, watch our telecast, “How to Survive Stress,” or read our article, “Overcoming Stress.” And remember Christ’s words, “…Therefore do not worry about tomorrow…”