So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. – Matt. 6:31-33
As believers, we know that we shouldn’t worry. But how often do we find ourselves tangled in a web of anxious thoughts? Thoughts about what we don’t have, or what others think of us, or what the future holds? If we’re completely honest, most of us will admit that we spend an awful lot of time worrying about these things.
Friend, Jesus makes this promise to us: “Seek the Kingdom of God and live righteously, and God will provide everything you need.” Do we truly believe what he says? If not, consider the following:
Jesus wasn’t worried about the size of his house – he didn’t have one. Jesus never lost sleep worrying about losing his possessions – he owned nothing. He never worried about food – God always made sure he was fed. Jesus was never concerned about pleasing others to seek their approval – he was only concerned about pleasing His Heavenly Father. And although he knew in advance the purpose of his life here on earth and how his death would unfold – he didn’t worry about it. In fact, he was resolute in fulfilling his mission!
Jesus’ example to us is one of simplicity. His primary concern was to do the will of His Heavenly Father, and he knew His Father would take care of everything else. That’s what a good Father does. Jesus reminded his disciples precisely of this in the Beatitudes: “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11).
Today, let’s take a moment to release our worries to God, knowing He cares for us deeply and promises to meet every need according to His riches in glory. If we place our focus on seeking His Kingdom first and living in a way that honors and glorifes Him, everything else will fall into place.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, Helen Howarth Lemmel (1922)
Former Blackout Artist 