Matthew 6:25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry….”
It is not harmless. It bears unsuspecting consequences. It sucks the life out of hope and stops faith in its tracks. Oswald Chambers says it is the first sign of infidelity. Jesus said not to do it. Yet most of us don’t think of worry as lethal.
Everyone has concerns. Lack of concern for ourselves and others indicates indifference, irresponsibility and a callous disregard for the world around us. But what do we do with those concerns? Do we feed them until they become life-consuming worries or do we let our concerns drive us to a deeper dependence on God?
Jesus displayed unremitting compassion to all those around him: to the two blind men who begged him for sight (Matthew 20:34). To the crowds who followed him because they had no shepherd (Matthew 9:36). To the young rich man who wanted to follow him but wanted to follow his wealth more (Mark 10:21). To the city of Jerusalem because he knew they would reject the truth (Luke 19:41-42). Yet his concerns never resulted in hand-wringing despair. Instead he entrusted all these situations to the Father of love.
Trust is the antidote to worry. I believe God wants to use all our concerns to move us to new depths of trust. The kind of trust we experience with a good friend. Maybe that’s what Joseph Scriven was thinking of when he wrote the familiar hymn, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” It echoes a heart who has learned to ask—then trust the most loyal, reliable, faithful friend anyone could have.
Are we weak and heavy-laden Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
I’m pretty consistent about taking my concerns to the Lord in prayer. Not so consistent about leaving them there. All too often I ask-then-worry rather than ask-then-trust. I short-circuit the process and maybe miss a miracle. How about you? What do you do after you ask? Do you trust God to take care of your concerns or do you persist in needless worry?
I can’t think of a better time than now to empty your bag of concerns and believe Jesus will take care of each one. Ask—then trust.