Faith Overcomes Worry – Part Four

Matthew 6: 25 – 34

        Worry finds its origin in the painful events of the past,

        Its occasion in some physical weakness or need in the present.

        And its opportunity in some fear of an unknown future.

        Thus, the web of worry is seen to consist of three strands. It consists of past events we long to live over or try to live down. The second strand is the uncertain future regarding which we have no confidence. The third strand is the present which is paralyzed by absorption with our past and apprehension related to our future.

        It has been estimated that people worry about the following:

        Things that never happen  = 40%

        Things that can’t be changed  =  30%

        Needless health cares  =  12%

        Petty miscellaneous worries  =  10%

        Legitimate concerns  =  8%

        Mark Twain once observed, “I am an old man and I have seen a lot of troubles, but most of them never happened.”

        Our Lord said, “I will never leave you, nor” (Heb. 13:5).  Worry responds, “I know you haven’t yet, but you might this time.”

        Regarding the future, come what will — Jesus will come with it.

        The expression “good cheer” means to have “courage.” 

        Jesus said we should observe the birds and look at the lilies. The God who is taking care of them will take care of you.

        God spends more on bird food each year than the total U. S. Federal budget.  The world’s bird population is estimated to be over 100 billion and God feeds them all day long every day. He is not going to overlook you. God is going to take good care of the birds because He knows His insect world would consume the human population in less than a day were it not for them. 

“Said the Robin to the Sparrow,
I would really like to know
Why these anxious human beings
Rush about and worry so.’
Said the Sparrow to the Robin,
‘Friend, I think that it must be
That they have no heavenly Father.”
Such as cares for you and me.”   Elizabeth Cheney