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Bible Reading Plan

Reading Plan: Matthew 6:25-34

Do Not Worry

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

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Daily Devotional: Set Aside Time to Worry

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

Matthew 6:25-27

Middle of the night. Wide awake. Again.

Mind racing. Thoughts spinning. Emotions brewing.

For the past few months, I haven’t been sleeping as soundly as usual. I figured it was related to winter. I’m always on the move during warmer months, so spending more time indoors and less time outside sometimes affects my sleep until I settle into hibernation season. But this year has been different. What’s on my mind keeps compounding. I wake up anxious and can’t fall back asleep. Counting sheep never works, so lately I’ve started praying the Lord’s Prayer. And guess what? Talking to God is helping put my mind and heart at ease. It doesn’t solve what I’m worried about, but it reminds me that my heavenly Father loves me, and I can trust Him, day and night.

Everyone worries to one degree or another. The definition of worry is straightforward: “to feel anxious or troubled about actual or potential problems.” As a verb, worry is an action that we do. As a noun, worry becomes a state of being. And when this state of being becomes pervasive and perpetual in our lives, we have a serious spiritual problem. In Matthew 6:25–27, Jesus warns His followers that it’s nonsensical to take on God’s job as provider and guide. It’s impossible to store up treasures in heaven when you have a death grip on what won’t last forever (see Matt. 6:19–24).

Here’s the truth we need today: Setting aside time to worry never amounts to anything. Some of the best advice about worry that I’ve ever received was to schedule time during the day for it. I tried it for a couple days and realized there’s no point in blocking out time to worry. Jesus was right. Worrying doesn’t change my circumstances and never adds up to an eighth day of the week. Instead of clinging to control, our heavenly Father lovingly invites His children to set aside time to worry so that trusting in Him takes its place.

Next Steps

Even with valid reasons, being worried isn’t the Jesus Way. Talk with God about what’s pressing on your mind and heart. You may have substantial needs or mistaken priorities, or a mix of both. Ask your heavenly Father to provide and guide, and to help you trust Him instead of trying to take on the world alone.

It’s okay to ask for help. Reach out to Pastoral Care at Willow Creek about what’s worrying you. Our team can pray with and point you toward a next step based on your need.