Quote from gracepeaceu@gmail.com on April 25, 2023, 3:05 am

WORRY-FREE LIVING

 By Nelson Thomas Mumbai

Worry and anxiety are the world’s biggest mental health issues today. According to recent reports, one in every 8 people the world over is living with some form of mental disorder, especially anxiety. 60% of university students in the US experience various kinds of mental health issues and around 44% of them are depressed. The situation in India is not different, if not worse, especially post covid-19 pandemic.

Remember, since 1992 every year 10th October is observed as the world mental health day for awareness and support. Yet, the mental health of people everywhere is deteriorating as the days go by. Experts might have their own reasons and remedies. But praise be to God, for a born-again Christian there is lasting solution found in the word of God.

In His Sermon on the Mount, the Lord Jesus refers six times to worry and thrice He commands us not to worry at all (Matt. 6: 25 – 34)! God wants His people to lead a worry-free, satisfied and peaceful life. Our Lord prohibits His followers from worrying over even basic daily needs like food and clothing that anybody would consider reasonable.

Concern versus Anxiety

Definitely, there is a place for normal care and concern about one’s life and its obligations (2 Cor. 11:28; 12:14; Phil. 2:20; 1 Timothy 5:8). Such concern is natural and is needed to make life more disciplined and productive. For example, for writing an exam or delivering a public speech, etc., carelessness becomes detrimental.

However, if that concern makes one tense and scared to the extent that they are unable to concentrate on the work in hand, that is not a healthy concern, but harmful anxiety. Such people are obsessed with the past or future but fail to make the best use of the present. Their concern becomes worry which then slowly leads to anxiety disorder. This unrealistic concern and persistent apprehension are what our Lord forbids in this passage. Apostles Paul and Peter also exhorted saints to be free from anxiety.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God…” (Phil. 4:6)

“Cast every worry you have upon Him, because He cares for you.” (1Pe. 5:7 Williams)

Worry Costly

Notice, it’s not just a suggestion from the Lord, but a commandment, “Do not worry”. That means, for a believer to be anxious is tantamount to disobedience and sin. By worrying, in spite of the scriptural injunctions and promises, we make God untrustworthy. That’s a great dishonour and disservice to Him. This means that worry for a Christian is very dangerous and costly indeed.

Let us consider five realities from this passage that should make us free of anxiety:

1. We have a Master in heaven (Matt. 6: 24).

Christ’s first prohibition of worry was based on man’s effort of serving two masters. “You cannot serve God and money” (v.24 ESV). It is in this context He says in v. 25, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life…” (ESV).

When we worry over life and are occupied with earthly things, we forget who our Master is. Whereas, when we acknowledge Him as our Lord and Master and even of all our circumstances, it brings unspeakable comfort and confidence to our hearts.

As the Lord of all, He controls everything, and even He has every authority over us. Nothing happens without His knowledge (Luke 12:7). He is the mighty, matchless One; the Creator and the Sustainer too, so worry not. (cf. Isaiah 40: 12 – 14, 18, 25, 26, 28; Rom. 8:31)

2. We have a higher value and focus for life (Matt. 6:25b).

Another reason Christ sets before us for a worry-free life is the real worth and goal of a believer’s life. The Lord asks poignantly, “Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” (v. 25b). For a child of God, earthly life is temporary and their real destination is heaven. So, we should not be occupied with earthly things and be troubled over these things that have no eternal value. On the contrary, we need to be focused on the heavenly things that are eternal and imperishable (1Cor. 7: 29 – 32; Colo. 3:2).

Certainly, food and clothing are necessary, but that is not everything. Our real joy and satisfaction do not come from such things, but from the Lord by virtue of our relationship with Him. So our primary concern should be our spiritual life and about maintaining a right relationship with God. All other matters should be secondary.

When we live in view of eternity knowing well of the temporal status of all that is today, none of the trivial things of the world will disturb our spiritual pursuit and focus. Then we can be calm and content in any state God permits in our life.

3. We have a caring Father in heaven (Matt. 6: 26, 32).

Unbelievers who do not have a relationship with the heavenly Father are naturally worried. But it should not be so for a Christian (v.32). Citing the Creator’s provision for His creation, the birds of the air, the lilies of the field, etc., Christ is asking, ‘How much more you?’ (v. 26, 28, 32).

The Psalmist also narrates God’s providence for His creatures (cf. Psalms 104: 27; 145: 15, 16; 147: 9). Three things are noteworthy in this connection:

1. He provides at the right time – no delay whatsoever.
2. He provides for all – no creature is left out.
3. He provides all their needs – sufficiently.

Notice, if our Father in heaven provides so faithfully and effectively for His creation, how much more we His children can expect from Him! However, do not forget, God does not rain things into their mouths; they do the normal work, but are never worried about their food for tomorrow. So shall we, even as we too are engaged in our normal duties, be free of anxiety, trusting the Lord for His ultimate provision.

Remember, even though God cares for His creation, it has no eternal value like a man (v. 30). But we are more precious to Him, not just because of the uniqueness in creating man, but the wonderful redemption by the precious blood of Christ (1Peter 1: 18; Matt. 13:44 – 46; Rom. 1:7; Isa. 43: 4, 5). He knows all our needs, carefully watches over us, and even numbers our hair (Matt. 6:32; Luke 12: 7; Psa. 34: 15).

How often like the prodigal son we forget the gracious providence of our heavenly Father (Luke 15: 17)! When we have such a God who lavishly bestows the best for us in time, why should we be worrying (Matt. 6:32; Psa. 34:15; 103: 13, 14)? Is it not a shame and dishonour to such a loving Father?

4. We never benefit from anxiety (Matt. 6: 27).

“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” (ESV)

Worry never helps. It will only bring losses like mental disturbances, physical illness, and troubled relationships. Due to uncontrolled imaginations and assumptions, the worrier lives only in his fantasy world. Often his thoughts travel from past to future at lightning speed, and never finds time to enjoy the present. That affects his life’s goal and effectiveness today.

Above all, it affects his spiritual life through its blatant violation of God’s word. A worrier is telling God indirectly that he doubts His integrity and ability to keep the promises. Thus, we are guilty of unbelief and rebellion. What an irony it is that we trust God for life after death, but fail to believe His promises for today.

5. The only way to find things in order is to make God our priority Matt. 6:33.

God’s work and provision are always beyond human logic and comprehension. His ways are unique. The only pathway to enjoy divine care and providence in its fullness is to be in His will. When we are wholeheartedly concerned with the fulfillment of God’s purposes, He will make sure that our needs too are met in time. That’s God’s method of working, and He is not a debtor to any man.

David writes from experience, “I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread.” (Psalm 37:25). Yes, there could be exceptions like temporary setbacks and hardships, but any child of God who faithfully follows the Lord will testify the same (Psa. 94:14; 2Cor. 4:9; 7:6; 2Tim. 4: 16, 17).

Notice, how important it is to saturate our hearts with such scripture portions than the lies of the adversary. (Col 3: 16)!

In v. 34, Christ concludes with a general principle. For today itself we have many things to care about. Let us deal with those things with much prayer and leave the rest with the Lord, who holds our future. He gives enough grace for each day as He leads us one step at a time. His compassions are new every morning (Lam. 3:23).

So beloved, in spite of all the worrisome situations in life, let us continue to be free of all anxiety, humbly trusting in the providence and wisdom of God. One day definitely we would look back and see ‘goodness and mercy following’ all the days of our life (Psalm 23: 6).

May the ‘peace of God that surpasses all understanding, guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus our Lord’ in these perilous times.

(From Grace & Peace e-Periodical, Issue No. 198 - April 2023)