Don’t Worry, Seek First

Series: Living the Mountain – Part 5

Text:

Matthew 6:25–34 ESV

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Worry fades when we focus on what matters most—God’s Kingdom first

So, let’s be honest—worry is loud.

It shows up in the middle of the night.

It shouts during the quiet moments.

It fills our minds with “what ifs,” “what abouts,” and “how will I?”

And what does Jesus say to all that?

“Do not worry.”

It is not only wrong to worry, it is infidelity, because worrying means that we do not think that God can look after the practical details of our lives…

Oswald Chambers (Lecturer and Missionary)

Now, let’s pause. He’s not saying, “Just pretend everything’s fine.”

He’s not ignoring the stress, the bills, the diagnosis, the anxiety.

He’s saying: “I see it all—but I want you to trust Me above it all.”

Because when you seek God first, everything else finds its rightful place.

Consider the story of Mary and Martha in the Bible. Martha is busy, overwhelmed by the preparations, while Mary sits at Jesus' feet. When Martha seeks Jesus' guidance, He reassures her that prioritizing Him places all other responsibilities in perspective. Like Martha, we can often feel overwhelmed; seeking God helps us find balance in our chaos.

1. Worry Doesn’t Add Anything—It Only Steals

Jesus breaks it down super plainly:

“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”(v. 27)

We all know the answer. Nope.

Worry doesn’t help. It hurts.

It doesn’t protect us. It paralyzes us.

It doesn’t prevent tomorrow’s problems—it just poisons today’s peace.

Philippians 4:6–7 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. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Peace doesn’t come from solving everything. It comes from surrendering everything.

2. God Cares About the Details of Your Life

Jesus paints this beautiful picture:

• Look at the birds—they don’t stress, yet God feeds them.

• Look at the flowers—they don’t worry, yet they’re clothed in beauty.

Then He says:

“Aren’t you more valuable than they are?” (v. 26)

In other words: If God takes care of them, He’ll take care of you.

Sometimes we forget just how deeply personal our God is.

He’s not just holding the universe together—He’s holding you.

1 Peter 5:7 ESV

7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

That word all means even the stuff you think is too small or too silly. God says, Bring it.

3. Worry Shrinks When Priorities Shift

Here’s the key verse—the mic drop moment:

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (v. 33)

Jesus isn’t just saying don’t worry. He’s giving us a replacement:

Seek Me first.

Not: seek money.

Not: seek comfort.

Not: seek social approval.

But: seek My kingdom.

He values not Christ at all who does not value Christ above all.

Saint Augustine of Hippo

Make your first thought each morning, “God, what do You want from my life today?”

And watch how the stress starts losing its grip.

Take all the pent up tension and stress and just let it out on serving, blessing and creating His Kingdom. You’re worried? God serve! You’re stressed give your time, money and talents and watch God provide the very thing you lack. Not becuase its a transactional things, but because its a transformational thing.

4. Peace Is Found in Daily Trust, Not Future Control

Jesus ends with this:

“Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.”(v. 34)

How much of our anxiety comes from trying to figure out everything ahead of time?

But Jesus says: “Focus on today. Trust Me with tomorrow.”

You know when your driving on a dark night in the rain on a tiny back-country road and someone has there brights on. Well, that happens pretty regularly for Kelsey and I living in Maineville. When that happens you literally can’t see the road in front of you. All you can see is the light getting closer! Its terrifying. Kelsey is usually freaking out in the passenger seat and I am left with our protection. All I can do is look at the lines (left/right) right in front of me to guide me straight or on a turn. Otherwise I’d crash. Looking at the lights and trying to see far off only puts us at risk. The only thing to do is to focus on where the track is leading me right now (in front of me).

Lamentations 3:22–23 ESV

22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

You don’t get tomorrow’s grace today. You get today’s grace for today’s battles.

So take it one day at a time, with God walking right beside you.

Closing Encouragement:

You don’t have to have it all figured out.

You don’t have to carry it all on your own.

You don’t have to fix the future.

You just have to seek first.

God’s got the rest.

Here’s your move this week:

Create a “Seek First” rhythm every morning—even if it’s just 5 minutes.

• Read a verse.

• Say a short prayer.

• Write one thing you’re surrendering to God.

• Ask: “God, what does seeking You look like today?”

Start the day seeking—and watch how your soul settles.