“Do not worry about tomorrow” As mentioned in Matthew 6:34. Wait for a second; what? Yes, do not worry about tomorrow. Will this instruction be applicable today? The answer is yes. And this is what we are going to dissect on this blog.
Highlights:
- Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles. It empties today of its strength – Corrie Ten Boom
- Life is way more significant than the things that make you worry.
- Jesus talks about the root cause of worry – and that is trust.
- Instead of worrying, seek first the kingdom of God.
Most people would say we are living in the 21st century. And this century is bombarded with things that fuels worry.
Student
Your classmates and your professors will make you worry.
Employee
A colleague or even your boss can make you worry. The sales target or project deadlines create worry.
Parents
The inflation rate is a contributor to worry. The tuition fee creates a lot of worries.
Is it possible to obey the “Do Not Worry about tomorrow” command?
To understand this, let me first define what worry is. According to Webster Dictionary, it is the state of being anxious and troubled over actual or potential problems. In other words, it is an emotion that takes into play about something not happening in the present, but something that will happen in the future, in other words, potential problems. So the question is, can worrying do something about the troubles of tomorrow? I guess not. As Corrie Ten Boom has said,
“Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles, it empties today of its strength” – Corrie Ten Boom
Worrying does not solve the problem tomorrow. On the contrary, it adds to the issue of the present. It does not empty tomorrow of its troubles. It empties today of its strength. And to prove this, let me ask you a series of questions.
- Who of you by worrying can solve a potential problem in the future?
- Can you reduce grocery bills or upgrade your closet by worrying?
- Who of you by worrying can add value to the things that you value in life?
Nobody right? And there is this New Testament narrative that discusses this principle in detail. Let us look at Matthew’s account in chapter 6 of his book, starting with verse 25.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Matthew 6:25
Jesus immediately jumps into the heart of worry. What you will eat, you will drink and what you will wear. It is about something that will happen later. Primary concerns that are not happening in the present, but will occur in the future. In the first century, it is about eating and drinking and wearing.
Fast forward, the present time, this will sound like this. Tuition worries – “will I be able to pay the tuition of my kids.” Relationship worries – “when am I going to get married.” Kid worries – “will my kids grow up with a sense of responsibility.” Then Jesus raised a very valid argument.
Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Matthew 6:25
Is it not true that your life is more than the things that make you worry? When you talk about life and the significance of life and legacy and purpose, life is far bigger or far more critical than the summation of the things that makes you worry. Then Jesus continued with a compelling illustration.
Illustration of the birds in the air
Maybe you will say, who has time to look at the birds in the sky? I will prepare my presentation for tomorrow. I got a lot of things that I need to do at school tomorrow. Only older people can have the luxury of looking birds in the sky. I don’t have time to do that. I got a lot of things on my plate right now.
They do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Most people misinterpreted this verse. Jesus is not saying here; you don’t need to work; you can sit down on your couch and watch Netflix all day. God will somehow magically put food on your table. Irresponsibility is not His point.
What Jesus is saying here, compared to the birds on the air, you got all the advantage. Birds cannot sow and reap and store, but you can. If the birds don’t worry, why should you? Jesus followed this with a series of surprising questions. Questions that you also need to ask yourself right now.
Are you not much more valuable than they? Matthew 6:26
If our Heavenly Father is taking care of the birds, will He not take care of you as His children? Do you think God values birds more than he values you? And not only that, but also think about this.
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Matthew 6:27
Can you add a single hour to your life by worrying? Or can you add an hour to somebody’s life by worrying? I say, instead of adding an hour, you are reducing the hour of your life by worrying. Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles. It empties today of its strength. Jesus said worry is a waste of energy, and it is unproductive. Jesus added another illustration to prove his point. This time about the lilies in the field.
Illustration of the lilies of the field
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Matthew 6:28
You are probably thinking right now; I am not worried about my clothes. I got a lot. Ok, I know. But in the first century, it is a big deal. It is like one of those “when I am going to get married kind of worry.” So Jesus points them to another example. See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. But despite that, Jesus said:
Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. Matthew 6:29
Solomon, the richest man ever lived, was not able to wear the same clothing category as the lily does. So again, the next argument of Jesus will make a lot of sense.
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, O you of little faith? Matthew 6:30
Now Jesus talks about the root cause of worry, and that is trust. It is an issue of trust. Do you trust God can and will take care of you? If God took care of nature, can you not believe that God has your future in mind?
You of little faith. O, your trust is so small. Why would you not trust that God has your best interest in mind? You of little faith?
You see, whenever you worry, it is always a trust issue. It is like you don’t operate today, trusting that God will be waiting for you tomorrow. Lack of trust is why you reach out, grab tomorrow’s concerns, and drag them today. But if you believe that you are more valuable to God than the birds and the grass, then the instruction of Jesus makes a lot of sense – do not worry about tomorrow.
If you are still not convinced, Jesus gave a very convicting analogy.
For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. Matthew 6:32
People who do not have the concept of a personal God, seek first of all these things. However, if you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you should have a different mindset. Jesus Christ, who died for our sin and rose from the dead look at the crowd that day and say “Whatever it is that you are undergoing right now, your heavenly Father knows what you need.”
Pagans run after or seek first all these things, and it drives worry. Jesus gave an alternative, and he mentioned it in one of the familiar verses in the Bible.
Instead of worrying, seek first the kingdom of God
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
Jesus is saying, instead of running after to those things that you don’t have any control. Instead of doing that, here is an alternative. Seek first the kingdom of God, His kingdom, His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. In other words, Jesus saying here is this:
LOOK ON THE WAY TO PARTICIPATE IN WHAT GOD IS DOING TODAY.
When you try to reach into tomorrow and bring it today, Jesus is saying, instead of that, I want you to look around and participate in what God is doing today, then trust God for tomorrow. Rather than worrying about tomorrow, use your strength and skills in advancing His kingdom today. Pagan seeks first of all “these” things. As a disciple of Jesus, we seek first His kingdom and expect that all “these” things will be given to us as well.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34
Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its problems. It empties today of its strength. Trust that as God meets you today, He will also meet you tomorrow in your needs. Use your God-given power to tackle the trouble today. His grace is sufficient to meet your demand today. Don’t use that strength to address tomorrow’s problem.
Application
- Begin your day declaring your trust.
Start your day with a prayer. Begin your day by declaring, “God, I trust in you.” Worry is like prayer in reverse – it makes things bigger. Prayer makes things smaller. - When you are worried about tomorrow, look for a way to participate in what God is doing today. Seek first His Kingdom. When you start worrying about tomorrow, I want you to stop and pray for someone else. Prayer is a great way to train us on how we will be able to get ahead of worry. Worry should trigger kingdom concern.
Jesus said, do not worry about tomorrow. Is it applicable today? Yes. I hope that this blog helps you to prove this answer.
CREDITS/NOTES:
- Taken from the preaching of Redefined – Worry & Anxiety.
- Credits to Andy Stanley for the content reference.
- Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties ….
- All verses are based on the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise stated.
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