We all have a tendency to worry. It comes with being human. We can find a myriad of things to worry about; family, health, finances, job, to name a few. Sometimes we project problems before they even come. That's the "What If Syndrome". We all have that at one time or another, imagining the worst-case scenario before it even happens, and more often than not it never happens. We make ourselves crazy with worry, which often leads to health issues. Proverbs 17:22 tells us "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." Worry can actually make us ill. Our attitude, good or bad, affects the entire body.
Yeshua gave his disciples a lesson concerning worry. Matthew 6:25 "Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?" Certainly, He didn't mean for them not to be concerned with their daily needs, did He? No. He knows we all need the basics of life, food, clothing and shelter.
He goes on to say in Matthew 6:26-33 that as He feeds the birds of the air and clothes the lilies of the field, we are much more valuable and can be assured that He will take care of us. Rather than living in worry, anxiety and stress, He instructs us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto us.
Worry cannot add anything to our lives. The world at large is consumed with worry, but Yeshua's followers have a higher calling, to seek His Kingdom first and He promises to take care of our needs. He will never leave or forsake those who put their trust in Him.
What does it mean to seek the Kingdom first. As with our daily physical needs, we also have spiritual needs to lead a balanced life. Does Yeshua provide these as well. Absolutely!
He declared in John 6:35 "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." He is the spiritual bread that we need to sustain us. That bread is his Word. It has been given to us in written form in the Holy Scriptures and in the life of Yeshua himself, who is the Word of God. He loves us so much that He became flesh and dwelt among us to teach us how to walk out that Word. If we eat of that bread every day, it provides all the spiritual nourishment we need for an abundant life.
One of my favorite passages in the Bible is Psalm 91:1. "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall rest under the shadow of the Almighty." That's the best shelter I can imagine. Physical shelter is very important, but living under God's protection is priceless. If we seek Him and His Kingdom above all else, we are under His protection and will find spiritual peace and rest no matter the fleeting circumstances of life. Yes, many problems assail us daily but we are promised that God works everything out for good to those who love Him and keep His commands. We need not fear. If we seek Him every day in prayer and bible study, He will commune with us and give us the wisdom we need to get through the hardships of life. He doesn't promise that it will always be easy but that it will be worth it.
The Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians chapter six that we are to put on the armor of God. Many believe that the illustrations are of the Roman soldier of that day. However, He is quoting the prophet Isaiah, who never saw a Roman soldier. Isaiah was describing the garment of the high priest.
Isaiah 11:5 "And righteousness shall be the girdle of His loins, and faithfulness the girdle of His heart."
Isaiah 59:17 "For He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on His head. And He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing and was covered with zeal like a cloak."
Isaiah 52:7 "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good tidings, making peace heard; who brings good news, making salvation heard; who says to Zion, Your God reigns!"
It might surprise many that all believers are to be missionaries. We are to share the good news with everyone we meet. Missionaries are not only those who travel to far off places to share the gospel. We are all entrusted with the Word and given a mandate, a mission to share Yeshua in our daily lives by the way we live, the example we set, the testimony of our faith.
Paganism is flourishing in our society today as never before. Believers need to step up and be the standard-bearers for truth and righteousness. There is no room for worry and complaining, grumbling and feeling sorry for ourselves. We've been given our marching orders from the King. Let's get busy and go into the mission field.
