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| Life is too Short to Worry |
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Greetings!
Today's devotion is the part of the series that will present topics from God's Word using the phrase "Life is too short ..." Last week, we discusseed the fact that life is a precious gift and too short to focus on things that don't help us achieve purpose or peace. First, we need to realize that life really is short. Second, we need to limit the things that waste or time, talent and treasure and rob precious life moments.
Life is too short to worry. What is worry? Worry is nothing more than negative meditation. Worry clogs and captures our heart, mind and spirit. We fret, contemplate the negative, become anxious over the future and falsely predict the worse. Worry is a killer as it plagues the body and mind with negative vibes that destroy hope.
Some folks have the gift of worry. It is not a positive spiritual gift but a lousy gift from the enemy of hope, love and peace. Worry is a suicide bomb the enemy uses that should be returned and exchanged for a positive, upbeat countenance that has hope as a foundation. Worry kills dreams, steals life and destroys hope. Worry needs to be crushed from the outlook of a Jesus follower and replaced with the positive emotion and thought of hope.
In our work with former foster youth, foster children and broken families, worry is not a small mental assault but a source of great anxiety, negative coping skills and self-fulfilling prophecies that are devastating. Unfortunately, the statistics and outcomes that lie ahead for most individuals and families we serve are poor and extremely negative. Thus, "worry" about these potential outcomes often crushes the existing opportunity to learn, grow or develop a positive result. Worry does nothing more than paralyze hope.
Life is too short to worry but don't take my word for it. Let's ask Jesus. |
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Jesus said, "Don't Worry!"
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. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look 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? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 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.
~ Matthew 6:25-34 ~ |
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Don't Worry Bout a Thing ... Seek the Kingdom Instead!
Matthew 6:25-34 captures Jesus presenting His stance against worry. His argument and position is brutally true and accurate. What does worry do for you? Absolutely nothing good! Jesus uses nature and creation as an indicator of God's care, provision and plan. Thus, if our King and God takes care of the lowliest of creation how much more will He care for us!
Bob Marley has a great song titled "Three Little Birds". It is an anthem against worry. Much of Marley's lyrics flow from the pages of scripture and although "Three Little Birds" is not a direct quote it does seem to grab the thoughts of Jesus from Matthew 6:25-34 in a different phrase. Here is a link to the song if you would like to hear it - "Three Little Birds".
I love listening to "Three Little Birds" as it reminds me of scripture and allows my mind to flow as God directs. "Don't worry about a thing cause every little thing gonna be all right" is much more than a simple lyric. It is God's message in song. The three little birds in the lyrics are the reminder from Jesus that if God will care for the birds then He will care for us. Awesome. Worry should be the last thing on the minds of a follower of Jesus. Instead, praise should fill our heart, mind and soul.
Looking back to scripture, we hear Jesus complete His teaching against worry with closing instructions. In Matthew 6:33-34 Jesus states, "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."
Friend, Jesus is clear in this passage. Life if too short to worry. Our prescription against worry is to seek God and His righteousness first! By seeking God you will ditch worry and receive hope, peace and love from Heaven. Worry will get your no where but anxious. Instead, seek God and His righteousness which means to seek God and His way of responding not your own. Seek God and His plan, His provision, His thoughts and His concerns.
Once we seek God about our issues instead of worrying about our issues then God can work and "add" things like peace, hope, faith and love to our heart. Life is simply too short to worry as it robs us of eternal perspective and the provision of God! This week turn your worry and complaining into praise and prayer. Seek God and what he is doing and find peace for your soul.
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For King and Kingdom,
Randy Martin |
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