Be Free: Worry Less, Trust More

It’s amazing what we worry about. Sometimes we even think worry is some sort of badge of honor… a good mother… a good father… that’s what a good parent worries about.

It’s funny as we get older, we realize that the things we worried about when we were younger weren’t that big of a deal.

So you would think that we would worry less but the truth is, as we get older we just worry about different things. Worry can become a vicious cycle that creates a life of anxiety.

Worry effects us negatively in so many ways, mentally, emotionally, and even physically.

Worry causes depression.

Worry causes our minds to be constantly distracted and consumed with things that we cannot control. Worry takes our focus away from the joys of the moment.

Worry causes high blood pressure, ulcers, and other physical ailments.

That’s why Jesus wants us to be free from worry and that’s why HE has a very different prospective when it comes to worry.

Jesus wants us to see that the things that we cannot control, God has complete control over. God never intended us to carry around worry and that’s why Jesus invites us to release those things to HIM by casting our worries upon the Lord.

In Matthew 6 in the middle of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus talks about worry.

Matthew 6:31–34 NLT

31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

PRAY

Jesus teaches about the futility of worry, highlighting God's provision and encouraging believers to seek His kingdom first.

Jesus contrasts the concerns of daily life with the assurance of God's limitless care and urging His followers to trust in His faithfulness.

We don’t have to feel overwhelmed when grappling with anxiety and stress. Jesus emphasizes the importance of prioritizing spiritual pursuits over worldly worries, reminding us that our needs will be met by God if we place our trust in Him.

When we let go of worry, we can experience the peace that comes from relying on God's provision and plan for our lives.

Jesus emphasizes the importance of faith over fear, teaching that God is aware of our needs and is faithful to provide for us.

Jesus wants us to understand that a life centered on God leads to a life of peace and freedom from the burdens of worry.

Worry refers to that which is existentially important, that which monopolizes the heart’s concerns.

Jesus and the early Church warn against worry. Worry takes us away from seeking first the kingdom. Worry can choke the word of God. The worries of life hinder the Church’s vigilance in prayer. Jesus wants us to be free so that we have time for repentance and prayer. Paul says

Philippians 4:6 ESV

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Peter reminds us to…

1 Peter 5:7 NLT

7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Jesus wants us to be free from worry so we can freely seek God with a heart and a mind that is clear and ready to receive.

So, how do we worry less and God trust more?

1. Pause and Reflect God's Provision

Matthew 6:25–27 NLT

25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

Jesus brings up some really good points about the futility of worry as HE compares our inability to control life's outcomes with God's unchanging faithfulness.

Jesus says, look at the birds… they don’t fret about tomorrow… they don’t store up food in barns yet God takes care of their needs.

God sees us as much more valuable then birds so why stress, why worry about things we cannot control.

“Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?”

Give to God the things that only HE can control by letting go of trying to control those things that we can’t control.

2. Ponder the Lilies: Trust Easily

Matthew 6:28–30 NLT

28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

Trust that God is able to make all things beautiful. It doesn’t matter how many pieces of clothing we buy we can never make ourselves a beautiful as God can.

Americans love lots of clothes…

Just look at our closets, they are so full of so much clothes that it’s kinda embarrassing.

Look at houses today vs. back in the day. The concept of the walk in closet… some closets are bigger then most bedrooms in some houses.

Fashion is a multi-billion dollar industry.

The clothes that we wear make a statement. They make people think that we have money. They make people think that we are all put together…

Clothes make others think that we care about our appearance, that we are cool, and hip. Our clothing can make us feel good about ourself.

We don’t want others to think that we are poor, or immodest, or not put together so we have to dress a certain way… buy certain clothes.

Jesus highlights the beautiful simplicity of God's creation. HE tells us to ponder the lilies.

The reality is that God, in all HIS complexities, is the only one who makes everything beautiful.

Jesus illustrates through the beauty of the lily that God provides for even the smallest details of our lives.

Look at the beauty of God’s creation and HIS care for the world around us. Seeing the lilies as reminders that God creates things for our enjoyment that are here today and gone tomorrow. If God is mindful of those things that we often overlook we must recognize that God will meet our needs as well.

If you want to be free from worry then stop and appreciate God’s intricate care and craftsmanship in our lives.

Solomon, in all his splendor could not compete with God’s artistic design and beauty.

If God can take care of the things that we enjoy in HIS season and in HIS timing then stop worrying and simply trust God.

3. Prioritize the Kingdom: Find Peace

Finally, what do we prioritize? Are we more concerned for the things of this world then then things of God?

Are we seeking after those things that are temporary… material wealth, momentary pleasure, quick accolades and rewards…

Or… are we seeking after those things that are going to last forever… God’s kingdom, HIS righteousness, reflecting Jesus…

Matthew 6:31–33 NLT

31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Jesus says don’t dwell on and don’t run after those things that the world seeks after. Because your heavenly Father knows what you needs better then you do.

Jesus says shift your focus, dwell on and run after God’s Kingdom first. As we begin seeking God's kingdom first HE realigns our priorities and gives us a sense of peace beyond worldly understanding.

Worrying doesn't add any value to our lives, but seeking God's righteousness does.

When it comes to letting go of worry it’s not about not caring about life. Letting go of worry is about trusting God with our life by living for God.

The Sermon on the Mount is all about seeking God’s Kingdom.

When we look at the grand scope of Jesus’ teaching here HE deals with practical living.

Relationships, Marriage, harboring issues of the heart, money, prayer, judging others, the golden rule, the narrow gate.

Seeking God’s kingdom goes against the grain of our society but that is our way to freedom.

If we want to be free from worry it starts when we

Matthew 6:33 NLT

33 Seek the Kingdom of God above ALL else, and live righteously, and HE will give you EVERYTHING you need.

We must live with the assurance that God knows our needs. Jesus is saying to us that we need to set aside our daily anxieties in pursuit of lasting peace through Christ’s promises.

Christ is the ultimate provision from God—the one who came to alleviate our greatest worries: sin and separation from God. Through Christ, we are invited into a relationship that transforms our deepest worries into the peace of His presence and purposes.

By seeking God’s kingdom first, we find true freedom from worry, trusting in His plan and provision for all aspects of our lives.

That’s why when our confidence is in the Lord we can live in the moment and be free.

Jesus sums it all up…

Matthew 6:34 NLT

34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

We can live free from worry in the moment as we seek God’s Kingdom for today.

Breath in God’s goodness, love the people who are close to you, be thankful, honor those who you work for and work for you.

Love your spouse and your kids.

Slow down, pray and seek the Lord, don’t be in such a hurry, go for a walk, go to the gym, learn to appreciate the little things and the relationships you have today.

Take Away:

Pause and Reflect on God’s provision.

Trust that God knows what HE is doing.

Seek God’s Kingdom FIRST.