31 Therefore, don’t worry and say, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ 32 Gentiles long for all these things. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 Instead, desire first and foremost God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore, stop worrying about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Reflection
Has anyone ever told you “Do not worry?”
Did it successfully keep you from worrying?
Yeah, me neither.
It is true that sometimes we worry too much about too many things.
Worry is a powerful thief. It can sneak into our minds and threaten to take over everything. It robs us of our peace, joy, and even relationships far too often. At its core, worry can be an attempt control the uncontrollable. We all need to be reminded from time to time that there is MUCH in life we will never be able to control.
Yet sometimes, worry is an appropriate response to the circumstances happening to us or around us. Worry can also propel us to act – on behalf of ourselves and our neighbors.
So, what is the balance between appropriate worry that can inform our actions in a Christ-like way – and not letting our worry run away with us, turning us into people we aren’t proud of?
The scripture invites us to temper our worries – by trusting in God. Trust in God is not synonymous with pretending there is nothing to worry about – and it also doesn’t mean living passively in this world. Jesus’ teaching in this text challenges us to shift our priorities: “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.” This means orienting our hearts and actions toward God’s purposes. Therefore, trust is not an excuse for inaction. Rather, we align our efforts with God – but in so doing – we trust that the ultimate outcome is in God’s hands and comes from a power not our own.
There are moments when faithful trust looks like waiting patiently, releasing our worried grip on outcomes. At other times, trusting God involves stepping out in faith and taking responsible action. And sometimes, there are moments when we find ourselves in between – where trust might look like pacing ourselves or putting our efforts toward one thing instead of everything. Trust is about doing what we can with what we have, while relying on God to provide for, guide, and hold the rest.
Jesus acknowledges that each day has its own challenges. So, planning and preparing are good actions. Excessive worry is not. When our actions are rooted in trust, they are purposeful. And we intentionally choose to release our anxieties to God, recognizing that it is only God who has the power to heal, restore, and bring about new life and possibility.
Is your worry leading you toward greater connection with God, yourself, and your neighbor? If not, how might you need to shift the way you hold your worry? Who ultimately do you put your trust in?
by Kate Monahan
For Pondering and Prayer
Identify one worry that has been consuming your thoughts. Ask yourself, “What action can I take today that aligns with God’s will?” Do what you can, and then release the rest to God in prayer. Each time anxiety creeps back, remind yourself that you are trusting God with tomorrow.
Prayer: Gracious God, You know my needs before I even speak them. Help me trust you in all things while also moving forward with wisdom and courage. Teach me to seek your kingdom first, to take action when needed, and to rest in your presence. Remind me that you hold tomorrow, and that is enough. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
