Have you ever thought about why we worry about things that are out of our control?

When we have a lot of unanswered questions about our future, we tend to worry. But Jesus says we shouldn’t.

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

In this part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, our Lord is encouraging us not to worry about our lives, and not to worry about tomorrow.

These statements are a hard teaching for many of us who are trapped into worrying about our future.

When we’re young, we worry about our school work, and about having friends. In mid-life, we worry about our kids, and our careers.

Later in life, we worry about staying healthy and having enough money to finish our race.

We can get caught living with the constant concern for, “what if this happens,” or “what if that happens.”

The result is that we end up missing out on life itself.

Philippians 4:6 reads, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”

I love how the Holy Spirit had the Apostle Paul insert the critical component of “thanksgiving” in His encouragement for us not to worry.

Where Do You Find Your Sufficiency?

In Matthew 6:34, Jesus is saying, don’t worry about tomorrow. Instead, make the best of today by finding your sufficiency in Me. There is no sufficiency or contentment in worry.

By worrying, we show our lack of faith.

On the other hand, Jesus is saying, “Give Me your future, I got your back. Let’s make the most of this day, together.”

There is tremendous freedom in this approach to life.

The blessing for us is that Jesus knows us. He knows our thoughts. He knows our ways. Jesus is our High Priest who sympathizes with us. He knows what we are going through.

Hebrews 4:15 reminds us,  “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

The worship song by Tommy Walker proclaims…

I have a Maker
He formed my heart
Before even time began
My life was in His hands

I have a Father
He calls me His own
He’ll never leave me
No matter where I go

He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And He hears me when I call

So we’re encouraged by Jesus not to worry, and to take care of today’s business only.

Jesus is encouraging you to make sure you’re not so absorbed with worrying about your problems, that you end up missing an opportunity to bless other people.

 Are You Ready for Battle?

Like soldiers preparing for battle, we’re called to be in a state of readiness.

Our training comes from our time in daily devotions like reading God’s Word, spending time in prayer, and worshiping.

Our time in devotion prepares us for the spiritual warfare that takes place on a daily basis.

“There are no shortcuts. We have to be in the Word every day,” says Pastor Xavier Ries, Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel Pasadena.

Ephesians 6:12 tells us, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

We also see an interesting example of readiness in the Old Testament.

Genesis 14:14 reads, “Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.”

Abram was a man who walked in faith, yet he was also a prudent man. Abram kept his own personal army, and he apparently kept them trained and ready to defend his interests.

Worry Affects Our Ability to Act

When we are so consumed with worry, it inhibits our ability to be responsive, and act in accordance with God’s will. Therefore, we must know God’s will.

If you want to know God’s will, you’ll need to spend time in His Word and in prayer.  Tweet

Abram didn’t wait or worry about being attacked. He just made sure he was always ready in case he was attacked.

We have to have the same state of readiness.

Another thing that can hold us back from being ready is sin. If we’re compromising and allowing sin to get a foothold in our life, we’ll be reluctant to serve.

This is a big obstacle and it’s worth repeating. Sin affects our readiness.

Hebrews 12:1 reads, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”

Additionally, the guilt that is a result of sin will paralyze us.

It will cause us to just sit and watch someone else do God’s work. This is why true repentance is so important.

Hebrews  9:14 tells us, “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”

Don’t Worry Be Ready

Worry, sin, and guilt inhibit our ability to serve God, and to do great things for Him.

Devotion to God’s Word produces a state of readiness.

It gives us the freedom we need to boldly serve God, and to love others.

If you want to be ready for the spiritual battles of tomorrow, you’ll have to prepare for them today.