Why Do I Worry?

Scripture – Matthew 6:28-34: ²⁸“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰If 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? ³¹So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³²For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) What are the implications of this for life in our North American culture? I was out at a local shopping mall last night. We have such a wide array of choices at that mall. There are multiple places to buy clothes or shoes or jewelry or cell phones. The options for eating are also abundant. At the same time, it occurred to me there’s not one thing for sale at that mall that is necessary. In the midst of such affluence and so many distractions, how do I seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness?

Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) The line between wants and needs is a tricky one to draw for me. For example, I need to get gas for one of our cars today. Just that statement says a lot about who I am and where I live. The very computer I use to write these words – is that a need or just an extra thing to have? I’ll be very conscious of when I spend money today. I’ll ask myself why I’m doing it. Is it for a want or a need? And every time I spend money today, I will thank God for His continuing provision in my life.

Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Lord, I am very thankful I live in this place and in this time. Thank you for taking such great care of me. By your grace, I have never faced hunger. I have never been without adequate clothing. I have never been without shelter. Still, I tend to get distracted by all that stuff around me. Help me focus on you and your kingdom today. Remind that worry about any of the stuff of life is wasted energy. Thank you for the daily bread you provide today.

An Invitation – If you’re interested in a face to face discussion about what we’ve been discovering in the Mini-Journal, a small group will be meeting tomorrow morning, 9:45 – 10:30am, at the Southgate Fun and Fitness Center (on Northline near I-75). Look for them around one of the tables in the Café area.

Reading for Sunday, November 18:

Scripture – Matthew 7:1-5: ¹“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. ²For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. ³“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ⁴How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? ⁵You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.