How to Worry Less Matthew 6:25-34

Worry seems to be an intrinsically human activity… Everyone worries about some things sometimes Our text tells us not to worry three times… So how much worry is acceptable? What is the difference between worry and informed concern? How should we think about and address worry in our own lives?

I. Worry has an Obvious Materialistic Element “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” (Matthew 6:25, NKJV)

A. We are real people living in a real world We have real physical concerns and needs We have more than just physical needs

Matthew 6:26-30 “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” (NKJV)

B. We are God’s children living in God’s world Our divine Creator cares for His creation Our heavenly Father cares for His children

II. Worry has an Important Theological Element “Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’” (Matthew 6:30–31, NKJV)

A. We are in a faith relationship with our Father God The routine of life is the laboratory of faith and trust The more we worry the less we trust in God “For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:32–33, NKJV)

B. We are in a dependent condition with our Righteous King The child of God is a citizen of heaven Our ultimate destiny defines our present priorities

III. Worry has an Inherent Temporal Element “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34, NKJV)

A. We have natural concerns about the unknown around us Worry is normal for temporal and finite creatures Worry does not provide any help for our situations

B. We have enough information to live in dependent trust We do not know the future, but we know Him who controls it We know His Word and need to aim to apply it carefully Consider some biblical principles to help us deal with worry…

We should Give our Concerns to God in Prayer “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.” (Philippians 4:6–7, NKJV)

We should Be Thankful for All of Our Blessings “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.” (Philippians 4:6–7, NKJV)

We should Focus our Thoughts on Good Things “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” (Philippians 4:8, NKJV)

We should Rest in Christ’s Peace “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:26– 27, NKJV)

We should Completely Trust God’s Strength “The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked came against me To eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident.” (Psalm 27:1–3, NKJV)

We should Remember that Worry is Not from God “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV)

We should Remember that God Cares for Us “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6–7, NKJV) “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28, NKJV)