Overcoming Worry

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” —Matthew 6:34

The great theologian Charlie Brown made this statement about worry: “I’ve developed a new philosophy. … I only dread one day at a time.”

Now let me quote an actual theologian, the late Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, who said, “If I allow my concern about the future to cripple me in the present, I am guilty of worry.”

There are so many things happening in our world today that could cause us to worry. The war on terrorism is far from over. There is a terrorist army that calls itself ISIS, the likes of which we have never seen before. Then there are rogue nations like North Korea and Iran arming themselves with nuclear capabilities.

Then we have our personal problems too. There are problems with work, problems with our families, problems with our health.

How can we overcome fear and worry? The Bible has something to say about this. Jesus himself addressed it in the Sermon on the Mount:

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” —Matthew 6:31–33

Believers should not worry. Jesus is not saying that Christians shouldn’t be concerned about the necessities of life. He is not saying that we shouldn’t think about them or plan for the future. The Bible encourages us to work hard, to save our money and so forth. But what Jesus is saying is that we shouldn’t worry about these things.

Worry doesn’t make your life longer; it just makes it more miserable.

Read more from Greg Laurie »

This article originally appeared on Harvest.org and is reposted here by permission.

 

Greg Laurie
Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie is the senior pastor at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside and Irvine, California, and founder of Harvest Crusades, large-scale evangelistic events that are held across the world.

The Future of Church Outreach: 3 Key Trends We Must Engage

EDITORIAL Leading Mission | Andy Cook Standing on the steps of the Wheaton College Billy Graham Hall in 1980, Graham asked his audience a pivotal question: How...

Hills Church: New Name, Same Mission

Hills Church has grown, in part, due to Marksman—a strategy for men focused on reaching and discipling other men that includes a 6-week Bible study boot camp.

Mike Housholder: The Wind of the Spirit

“Churches are called to make their cities better. The best way to do that is to genuinely and authentically love our neighbors. If there are needs in our community, we want to get involved.” - Pastor Mike Housholder