No one knows us better than the one who created us. When Jesus was on this earth He spoke to issues that He knew we all will deal with in life. He taught the disciples and the people that came to listen to Him these issues in what we know today as “The Sermon on the Mount.”
He began His sermon with the “Beatitudes.” The eight beatitudes are traits or inward qualities of a true follower of Jesus. Jesus was teaching what it means and looks like to be a believer.
Jesus knew that even believers who were faithfully following Him would have cause to worry.
In Chapter six, Jesus instructs us on the subject of worry and why we should not worry.
Just as today, many people sitting on that mountain listening to Jesus had reasons that they believed were valid to worry. Jesus made it very clear as He began by saying not to worry about one’s life. In other words — DO NOT WORRY!
Jesus did not infer that we should be lazy and thoughtless with a no care attitude about life. He wanted us to prepare properly for issues that would come our way and not be slothful with a lack of initiative, effort or planning. He expects us to look after our own responsibilities. We are to work in order to eat plus to work harder so we can give to others.
Jesus warns us in this sermon about getting so wrapped up in securing the THINGS in life that it becomes a worry to us. Worry causes us to become anxious, disturbed and sleepless. Our concern should be about heavenly values and not earthly values. Worry is not necessary when we are trusting God for every detail in our life.
People today worry about issues that never come to pass. Someone once said that, “WORRY IS THE INTEREST YOU PAY ON BORROWED TROUBLE!” In Matthew 6:27, Jesus asks us, “Who of you by worrying can add a simple hour to his life?” Doctors tell us that more than 60% of all illnesses relate to worry.
One of the reasons so many worry today is because they are not happy about what they are doing in life. People are living with guilt and a fear that at any moment their world will come crashing in on them. This means that our own actions give us the major cause of worry. Unfortunately, this is true for those who believe in Jesus and those who are not believers. The big question becomes, what do you value in life. Are you in touch with Jesus daily? If not worry will become an issue for you.
Possibly you are thinking now that we just do not understand. But we do. The scripture tells us very clearly in the Sermon on the mount what we need to do so that we do not worry. For reassurance take time to read Matthew 6:33-34 now.
Real life issues like a loss of a job, a home foreclosure, unpaid bills, and troubled family relationships all are often the cause of worry. The answer to your problems in life is to take them to the Lord in prayer. He does not want you to worry.
The Apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious (worry) about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests to God.”
