Phil Rowlands

Hello, my friends!

In a world filled with uncertainty and constant change, it's easy to find ourselves caught up in a whirlwind of worry and anxiety. Whether it's concerns about our finances, health, relationships, or the state of the world, these worries can quickly consume our thoughts and rob us of the peace God intends for us. Today, I want to share with you some powerful truths from God's Word that can help us break free from the chains of worry and live in the freedom and peace that Christ offers.

Friends, let's begin by looking at what Jesus himself had to say about worry. In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus addresses this issue head-on, telling us four times, “Do not worry.” Now, when Jesus repeats something, we know it's important! The Greek word used here is “merimnao,” which means to be constantly thinking about something, to be full of care or distracted by it. In English, our word “worry” comes from an old German word “wurgen,” which means to strangle or choke. That's exactly what worry does to us – it strangles our joy, chokes our peace, and suffocates our faith.

But how do we deal with worry? It's not as simple as someone telling us, “Don't worry, be happy!” We can't just switch off our emotions like a light switch. The key lies in understanding that our emotions are a product of our thoughts. If we want to change how we feel, we need to change how we think. As Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”

This passage gives us a powerful strategy for combating worry. First, we need to recognise and reject what some call “stinking thinking” – those negative thought patterns that fuel our anxiety. We may not be able to control what thoughts enter our minds, but we can certainly control which ones we allow to stay there. As the old saying goes, “You can't stop the birds from flying over your head, but you can stop them from building a nest in your hair!”

Once we've identified those anxious thoughts, we need to replace them with the truth of God's Word. This is what the Bible calls “renewing our mind” (Romans 12:2). It's a process of replacing lies with truth, doubt with faith, and fear with trust in God's promises.

So, what truths does Jesus give us to combat worry? Let's explore five powerful reasons He gives us not to worry. First, God gave us our life – He will sustain it. Jesus argues from the greater to the lesser here. He says in Matthew 6:25, “Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” If God has given us the greater gift of life itself, won't He also provide for our daily needs? Jesus points us to the birds of the air and the lilies of the field as examples of God's faithful provision. The birds work diligently within God's design for them, but they don't worry. The flowers of the field are clothed more beautifully than Solomon in all his glory, yet their lifespan is brief. How much more will God care for us, His children, created in His image with an eternal purpose?

Secondly, worry cannot change our circumstances. In Matthew 6:27, Jesus asks, “Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?” Whether He's talking about our physical height or the length of our lives, the point is clear – worry accomplishes nothing positive. In fact, medical science has shown that chronic worry and anxiety can actually shorten our lives by affecting our heart, blood circulation, glands, and nervous system. So why waste our energy on something that not only doesn't help but can actually harm us?

Friends, this is a crucial point to grasp. How often do we expend mental and emotional energy fretting over things we can't control? Instead of worrying, we need to focus that energy on trusting God and taking positive action where we can. As the old saying goes, “Pray as though everything depends on God, and work as though everything depends on you.”

Thirdly, worry is characteristic of the unsaved. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:31-32, “Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” While it's understandable for those without faith to worry about these things, we who know God have a different perspective. We have a Heavenly Father who cares for us and promises to meet all our needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19).

Think about it — if God didn't spare His own Son but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32) We have access to divine resources that the world doesn't have. We have the indwelling Holy Spirit, the promises of God, and the assurance of His love and care. When we worry, we're sort of, but obviously not completely, saying that we don't trust God to keep His promises. We're living without our focus being on our Heavenly Father who cares for us.

Fourthly, worry distracts us from life's main purpose. Jesus instructs us in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” When we're consumed with worry about our basic needs, we lose sight of our primary purpose – to live for God's kingdom. Food, clothing, and shelter are functional requirements, not a life's purpose. They're necessary, but they shouldn't be our focus.

When we prioritise God's kingdom – His rule and reign in our lives and in the world – we align ourselves with His purposes. And when we do that, He promises to take care of our needs. It's not that these needs are unimportant, but rather that God wants us to trust Him to provide as we focus on what really matters – living for His glory and advancing His kingdom.

Finally, we should live one day at a time. Jesus gives us practical advice in Matthew 6:34: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Worry is always about the future – things that might happen or might not happen. But Jesus calls us to live in the present, trusting God for today's needs and challenges.

This is what is known as “present tense grace.” God gives us grace for today, not for yesterday's regrets or tomorrow's fears. His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). As we learn to live one day at a time, focusing on today's responsibilities and trusting God for tomorrow, we'll find that worry loses its grip on us.

Friends, let's be honest – we live in challenging times. The world around us seems to be in constant turmoil, and it's easy to get caught up in anxiety about what the future holds. But as followers of Christ, we're called to a different response. Instead of joining the world, in panic and despair, we have the opportunity to demonstrate a peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). This peace isn't based on our circumstances but on our trust in a loving, all-powerful God who holds our future in His hands.

So how do we practically apply these truths? Start each day by renewing your mind with God's Word. Feed your faith, not your fears. When anxious thoughts come, practice taking them captive. Ask yourself, “Is this thought true? Is it helpful? Is it based on God's promises or the world's fears?” Focus on what you can control, and surrender what you can't to God in prayer. As Paul instructs us in Philippians 4:6-7, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Keep your eyes on Jesus and your mind on His kingdom. When we're focused on serving God and others, our own worries often fade into the background. Practice gratitude. It's hard to be anxious and thankful at the same time. Make a habit of thanking God for His blessings, big and small. Live one day at a time. Don't borrow trouble from tomorrow. Trust that God will give you the grace you need when you need it.

Be blessed today, my brothers and sisters. Remember, we serve a God who is bigger than our worries, stronger than our fears, and more faithful than we can imagine. He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all – how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32) Let's choose to trust Him, to cast our cares upon Him, and to walk in the peace that He provides. No matter what challenges we face, we can rest assured that our Heavenly Father cares for us and will never leave us or forsake us.

Phil