Is it safe to tell someone to not worry?

Does it feel irresponsible to not worry?

How do you relate to Jesus’ words recorded in Matthew 6:25-34, where He tells us to not worry?

Perhaps you believe that you can only stop worrying once everything is fine, and since everything is not fine you feel compelled to continue to worry. After all, it would be dangerous to behave as if everything was fine when there are real problems that must be dealt with.

I do not think that Jesus is encouraging us to live in an imaginary world disregarding our responsibilities and the challenges of life here on earth.

I say this because growing up I always had that one friend who would always tell me not to worry when there were definitely reasons to worry. You know the type right? The house could be burning down and he would say everything was fine and there was no need to worry.

Continuing our series on the Sermon on the Mount we arrive at Matthew 6:25-34 where Jesus tells us not to worry. In this post, we will explore Jesus’ words concerning worry in the context of Matthew 6:25-34.

In a more general sense, the topic of worry and anxiety is not unique to this passage. Some other passages that address worry and anxiety include:

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
—Philippians 4:6 NKV

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
—Hebrews 13:5 NKJV

 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
— 1 Peter 5:7 NKJV

Many of you may be familiar with these verses. The question then becomes how do we apply these principles to everyday life?
Should we carelessly live lazy lives?
What did Jesus mean by telling His followers to not worry?

Do not worry about your life.

25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry 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, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
— Matthew 6:25-27 NKJV

Jesus tells us not to worry about life, about what we will eat, or about what we will drink. He also addresses the body and clothing but we will address that later.

Did Jesus mean that we should not work and simply sit around waiting for Him to provide for all our needs? The illustration Jesus uses, of the birds, indicates that He does not mean for His followers to be lazy. God does provide for the birds of the air, however, the birds do not sit comfortably in their nest waiting for God to drop food in their open beaks. Birds are constantly flying and searching for food. However, Jesus properly understands that it is God who provides for the birds of the air. Though the birds are actively searching for food, God is the One who provides for them.

Christians must plan for the future, but they need not be anxious.
- Craig Blomberg, Matthew, vol. 22, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 125.

Jesus adds one more point, are we not of greater value than the birds of the air? For most of human history, I imagine that this point was obvious. But I know there are those who advocate for animal lives being as valuable as human lives. I love animals and believe in caring for them. However, humans are not the same as animals. We were made in the image of God, and though we are responsible for caring for the animals, we are of greater value. This does not give any human the right to abuse animals, the abuse of power is never okay. We have a responsibility towards nature, but Jesus understands that we are of greater value. So the logic goes, if God cares for birds, who are of relatively small value, won’t God care more for us? To this I would add if Jesus was willing to die on the cross for us, can we doubt God’s love for us?

Following this train of thought Paul writes

“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”
- Romans 8:32 NKJV

In case His hearers were unsure, Jesus added one more point essentially asking what benefit will we gain by worrying.

And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit unto the measure of his life?
- Matthew 6:27 ASV

When you look up Matthew 6:27 you see that there’s a significant variation in the different versions, indicating there are challenges in translating it. The challenge comes from the word translated in the New King James as “stature.” The Greek word is hēlikia, which may indicate either “age” or “stature.” Hēlikia is translated “age” in John 9:23; Hebrews 11:11; etc., and “stature” in Luke 19:3; etc. Whether Christ spoke of an increase in height or in length of life is not certain. (Francis D. Nichol, ed., The Seventh-Day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5 (Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1980), 352.)

Whether the text is translated as a reference to height or length of time Jesus’ point remains valid. Worrying will not make you taller or your life longer.

What about clothing?

28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
— Matthew 6:28-30 NKJV

Jesus takes the same approach regarding clothing. Jesus directs the attention of His audience to the wildflowers that grow without needing any special care and that are often plucked without any thought. The Greek word translated as “consider” in the New King James Version can also be translated as “examine carefully.” Jesus invites us to carefully examine wildflowers that grow naturally and consider how beautiful they are compared to what we strive to create through skill. We can work hard and spend a fortune, yet our human-made clothing will never match the natural beauty of a wildflower. Jesus highlights this by mentioning the wealthiest king Israel ever had, King Solomon, yet in all his wealth he never matched the beauty of a simple flower.

Jesus points out from this observation that if God clothes the grass of the field with such beauty, and we give these plants little value, God cares about our clothing, especially since we are of greater value. To doubt or question God’s love and power indeed indicates how small our faith is.

Do not worry

31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
— Matthew 6:31-34 NKJV

In case Jesus was not clear enough up to now He drives home His main point DO NOT WORRY about food or drink or clothing. Jesus uses arguments similar to others He used earlier in His sermon.

In Matthew 6:32a (“For after all these things the Gentiles seek.”) Jesus
recalls the logic of Matthew 5:47 (“And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?”); and Matthew 6:32b (“For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.”) Jesus parallels and recalls Matthew 6:8b (“For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.”).

For Jesus, all these aspects of life are closely connected. Together they shape a biblical worldview, one where there is a powerful and loving God at the center.

Again, Jesus uses the characteristically Jewish type of reasoning—from the lesser to the greater. If the logic of his argument be granted, then worry can only result from a lack of genuine belief in God’s goodness and mercy. R. Mounce says, “Worry is practical atheism and an affront to God.” Anxiety characterized pagan religions, which were dominated by fears of a capricious and despotic deity who constantly had to be appeased.

— Craig Blomberg, Matthew, vol. 22, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 125–126.

R. Mounce does not hold back claiming that “worry is practical atheism and an affront to God.” I can see his point theologically. His comparison to pagan religions also makes sense. Pagan gods could not be counted on, they could be in a bad mood, or change their mind, or simply forget. We know that our God does not forget.

“Can a woman forget her nursing child,
And not have compassion on the son of her womb?
Surely they may forget,
Yet I will not forget you.
— Isaiah 49:15 NKJV

God is also faithful

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
— Lamentations 3:22-23 NKJV

Finally, God does not change.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
— Hebrews 13:8 NKJV

Reflecting on Jesus’ words regarding worry or “care,” John Wesley, one of the founders of the Methodist movement, wrote:

What he forbids is, that care which, sad experience shows, wastes the blood and drinks up the spirits; which anticipates all the misery it fears, and comes to torment us before the time. He forbids only that care which poisons the blessings of to-day, by fear of what may be to-morrow; which cannot enjoy the present plenty, through apprehensions of future want.

When we allow this care to consume our lives it demonstrates a misunderstanding of God. John Wesley elaborates his thoughts regarding a believer worrying:

It is a high affront to the gracious Governor and wise Disposer of all things; necessarily implying, that the great Judge does not do right; that he does not order all things well. It plainly implies, that he is wanting, either in wisdom, if he does not know what things we stand in need of; or in goodness, if he does not provide those things for all who put their trust in him.
— John Wesley (sermon found in Robert Murray McCheyne et al., A Treasury of Great Preaching: 5 Vol. Set (WORDsearch, 2020).

I read the words of these scholars, theologians, and preachers from long ago and I see their point. Intellectually I can see how they arrive at their conclusion. But my challenge is that though I can appreciate the truth of these statements, my personal experience does not match it. I find these theological statements almost offensive. I want to be hugged and told that life if difficult and that we all struggle and we all worry. I do not like being told that my worrying is evidence of my lack of faith in the power and character of God.

So what do we do with the words of Jesus?

I do not want the words of Jesus to be used as a stick to beat us down when we are already struggling with worry and crippling anxiety.

If I can be honest with you, and a bit vulnerable with you right now, I often struggle with thoughts of “have I done my part?” For example, Jesus cares for the birds and I wonder how much the efficiency of the bird factors into the bird being fed. In other words, I do not worry about God’s part of the equation, I worry about mine. I know that God is powerful and loving. But I worry if perhaps I have sinned and my sins are now preventing God from blessing me as much as He would like to. Or perhaps I just haven’t tried hard enough, put in enough effort, studied enough, put in enough hours. How much is enough?
Suddenly I find myself analyzing my own life and the worry and anxiety levels shoot through the roof. I don’t know about you but introspection for me can go south (bad) easily and quickly. I am my biggest critic.

So if I read Jesus’ words telling me not to worry and I notice that I am worrying it only adds another layer of guilt to my anxiety, because now I feel like I am sinning and disappointing Jesus because of my lack of faith.

So how do I handle this?

I especially struggled with this when I was in graduate school. Before I share my story I feel the need to add a disclaimer that I realize that my personal struggles pale in comparison with what many of you have gone through or might be going through. However, I believe that the principle holds true and is applicable.

Personal Story

I was walking to class. It was about 7:30 in the morning, it was dark, and it was raining. Except it was not really raining, it was almost hail, it definitely was not snow, at least not consistently. It was slush, falling from heaven and being blown by the wind drenching my pants from my knees down. As I walk, pushing my umbrella in front of me, making my way from the Maplewood apartments toward the seminary building on the campus of Andrews University in Michigan. My wife has the car, she has to drive out of state to Indiana for her accelerated nursing program where she is on her way to earning a bachelor’s degree in 15 months. This will be her second bachelor’s degree. We are both so busy with studies that even though we sleep in the same bed we barely see each other all week.

I work about 2 hours a day as a building assistant, raking leaves, shoveling snow, cleaning the laundry room, and other similar tasks. The Texas Conference is covering my tuition and giving me a stipend that helps cover rent. I make just enough money at my job to be broke. My wife and I visit the church’s food bank on campus every Tuesday and Thursday and occasionally we receive a gift card to the local supermarket from the church where I help as a seminarian intern. Between the occasional gift card, my barely above minimum wage payments, and my stipend my wife and I manage to survive. Somehow we never lack food, clothing, housing, or gas. Day by day somehow we have enough to pay the bills and put food on the table.

Every Wednesday night a group of us at Maplewood gather together to pray for each other. It is our prayer meeting. I was struggling with my archeology class. I need this class to graduate. I cannot afford to fail this class. The class is right after lunch, we meet upstairs where the rooms are warmer regardless of what we set the thermostat to. The class is small and has no windows. The professor, a walking encyclopedia and a brilliant man, is not gifted as a public speaker. His slides are blocks of text in small print that he reads word for word. He also turns off the lights so we can better see the screen.

I sit in the front of the class and fight off sleep as I try to ask questions and engage the professor in desperate attempts to remember the names of all the places and dates and digs and archeologists and what they discovered. I am struggling and I know it. I have received the review sheet for the midterm exam. It is several pages consisting of a single column of names for us to define and write down everything we know about it. People, places, and technical terminology. I have the sheet full of annotations, I have spent hours going over all the slides and my handwritten notes making sure I have all the pertinent information. Now that the review sheet is completely filled out study it furiously trying to find ways to memorize and understand its contents.

Wednesday comes around and we gather for our prayer meeting. I need prayer. I am pretty sure I will fail my first class of seminary, and disappoint my wife and my parents, and the Texas Conference. Maybe they will even fire me when they realize I have failed my archeology class. I share my concern and my friends pray for me. My friends cover me with prayers. They surprised me by praying differently than how I usually prayed.

I used to always pray for God to help me do well. I prayed for God to help me study, I prayed for God to help me remember what I studied, I prayed for God to help me stay awake and focused, and I prayed for discipline and good memory. But my friends prayed for God to bless me and grant me success by His mercy and for His honor and glory. They prayed blessings upon my life that were independent of my performance. My friends were praying for God to bless me in a way that reflected His character and power. They prayed for God to bless me according to His power, His grace, and His will for my life.

These were men and women who were also in seminary, many of them finishing their master’s degree or working on their doctorate. Many of them currently teach in several universities in the US, Brazil, and other countries. These are men and women who love God and are serious students of the Bible. They prayed for God to be merciful to me and bless me beyond anything I could deserve and to a degree that I would not be able to take credit for His blessings.

When I pray for God to help me remember what I studied I divide the success with God, 50/50. I took the notes and studied and God helped me remember. I often prayed for God to bless me according to my efforts. I am not sure how I developed this theology, perhaps it reflected what I felt comfortable asking for, the blessings I felt safe asking for, and perhaps the blessings I felt like I had earned or deserved thanks to my personal efforts and discipline.

The day of the midterms has arrived. It is early in the morning, still dark. The cold wind and freezing rain helped any trace of sleep to leave my body. I do not feel blessed, I do not feel God’s presence with me. I am actually wondering if I am where I should be in life. My pants were wet from the freezing rain. The wind made my umbrella basically useless, but it kept the top half of my body dry. I felt small and forgotten. I felt sorry for myself. I watched my friends driving to the building in their cars. One even offered me a ride, but I didn’t want to get his car all wet, also getting a ride would ruin my pity party and destroy my internal narrative of being forgotten and ignored.

I pushed the doors and walked into the seminary, I stomped my boots on the ground and closed my umbrella. I gave my umbrella a good shake to remove extra water. The building was warm. I made my way to my locker and began to remove layers. I had an extra pair of shoes that were more comfortable than my wet boots. A least my socks were dry, hopefully, the bottom part of my pants would dry quickly. I fished my notes out of my backpack. They were dry. I stood by a heater as I struggled to review my tiny writing. There were too many names, too many dates, too many places. I felt defeated. I was definitely worrying. The time came for the test and I made my way to the second floor. The classroom felt extra warm. I got my pencil and eraser and put my notes away.

The midterm was not as bad as I had anticipated. It was worse! There were questions where I guessed, there were some I was sure I did not know the answer to, and very few that I felt like I knew the correct answer. I felt like I had done just well enough to get a bad grade. There goes my grade point average (GPA) there goes my dreams of maybe one day pursuing a doctorate. Will my wife even love me after I get the result of this midterm?

That week we met for our prayer meeting at one of our friend’s apartments. They asked me how I did and I was sure I did not do well. One of our friends was working on her PhD in Archeology and she said she thought I did okay because she worked with that professor and he knew we were both Brazilian and had made some comments to her. I was sure he must have confused me with someone else. I had made up my mind to worry and catastrophize and I was not about to allow her to give me any hope.

When I got my exam results I realized my grade had not been too bad! I was beyond shocked. I flipped through the pages and realized I had indeed gotten many questions wrong, how did I get a decent grade? God had worked a miracle. The grade I got was not the grade I deserved. What happened was that the class as a whole had done so poorly that the professor gave everyone a certain number of points. I received points I did not deserve.

This may seem like a small incident. It sure felt like a big deal for me at the time. But what I learned as a result of that experience is what I want to share with you.

For His name’s sake

Have you read Psalm 23 recently? It is very popular, but there is a specific portion I would like to point out.

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
— Psalm 23:1-3 (bold mine)

God is my shepherd, and He makes sure I do not experience “want,” I will lack nothing, I will not be in need. The reason for me not lacking is not my discipline and strong work ethic, it is a result of my Shepherd providing for me.

The reason why I can lay down and rest, the reason I have what I need is because God provides for me.

It is God who restores my soul. When I do the right thing it is because God led me in the path of righteousness. God does all of this because of Who He is! It is for His name’s sake that He blesses me. I did not have to deserve His care and love.

God’s care for me says more about who He is than about what I have accomplished.

When I worry about tomorrow and about all the factors that are beyond my control I am taking upon myself a burden that God has not given me. Even the aspects of life that are under my control, I am not able to handle them without God’s power at work in me. My success is a result of God’s blessings, not of my abilities independent of His blessings. Once I let go of my pride and give God all the glory, it becomes easier to also give Him all my burdens. Only then do I begin to realize that it is all about God. My part is to surrender and not fight Him, not rebel against His will in my life.

When it comes to worry and anxiety, the ultimate question is;

Do we really believe that God loves us and means to do us good?

When we really believe our worries begin to melt away, our will begins to combine with the will of God, and our concern about the future begins to disappear.

We can learn a lesson from when God gave manna to the children of Israel when they were in the wilderness. He always provided enough for their needs and always enough for one day, with the exception of the Sabbath.

What helps me with my worrying and anxiety is surrendering my plans to God each morning. Praying and reminding myself that I serve a mighty and loving God who blesses me for His name’s sake. I have yet to master not worrying, but I have found this practice helpful in my spiritual journey.

Consider what God revealed to the prophet Jeremiah.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
— Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV

When it is all said and done, the part that falls to us is to make sure we continually put God first in our lives, because He promises to take care of everything else.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
— Matthew 6:33-34 NKJV