DEVOTION / What concerns you?
First, some statistics . . .
Some people seem to worry about everything! Studies have been conducted on the subject of worry, and they have some rather interesting results. For instance, about 90% of things people worry about never happen. And of the 10% of worries that did materialize, 30% of them turned out better than anticipated.
Are you a worrier? The Bible gives us some examples of worriers. Elijah worried for his safety. David worried about his son, Absalom. The Israelites certainly worried when their backs were to the Red Sea and the Egyptians were fast approaching. And Martha worried that the meal wouldn’t be finished on time. Jesus even said to her, Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. (Luke 10:41,42) Worry isn’t anything new. It has been around since sin began.
Have you ever seen an anxious bird?
Jesus realizes that there are many things that cause his children to worry. He knows that people have difficult lives and some good reasons to be concerned. When Jesus lived on earth, he spent time teaching the people about the problem of worry. For instance, he asked them why they worried about how fashionable their clothes were. He said, Why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. (Matthew 6:28) He also asked the people why they were worrying about what they would eat or drink. 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? (Matthew 6:26)
Sometimes we spend too much time worrying about things God said he would take care of. In the Bible, God assures us that he will hear and answer each one of our prayers. In fact, he says he knows what we need even before we ask him. He tells us that everything that happens to us happens for our good.
Jesus asks us why we worry about clothes, our next meal, or our health. And then he gives us the perfect answer: 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. (Matthew 6:33)
By Reynold R. Kremer