Scripture
Matthew 6:25-27-“Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"
Observation
St. Matthew the evangelist recounts what Jesus taught on the Sermon of the Mount about worrying, and that there is nothing to gain in life by worrying or being anxious. Jesus then draws their attention to what is truly important and that being one’s value to the Lord. Jesus in His sermon made it clear that man’s propensity to worry and be anxious can consume people and does nothing to gain maturity or the life that Jesus was offering ... the context and conclusion not to worry about temporal and inconsequential things when compared to the meaning of life.
Application
I don’t know why, but these scriptures brought to mind a very famous and light-hearted song entitled “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” by Bobby McFerrin. The lyrics of the song depict that we often have no control over some of life’s occurrences ... so why worry? Instead, be happy! The lyrics state that when you worry, “you make it double.”
I believe that although I personally have a propensity to be a worry-wort being concerned and anxious about situations; these scriptures are pretty simple and true. It really does come down to the fact that more worry does not improve matters and instead often makes matters worse. However, if I choose to take a Godly perspective, I have already taken the step to improve the whole situation ... at least the worrisome part in my emotional state. What is encouraging is to know my value in Christ, and therefore, how standing and reverting to God’s word can then resolve my perspective to look at the potential and the outcome as covered by the Lord who will either take care of the matter or teach me a huge lesson. The small things are not worth making them into big things. Instead, take ALL things and cast them onto the Lord for His covering, guidance, and resolution. We’ve heard the saying “It is what it is.” I like to add to that “It is what it is, and God is faithful.”
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for reminding me of the perspective I can look forward to in turning to you with my situations, worries, and anxiousness. It is my faith in your faithfulness that will enable me to navigate and look to your resolutions, blessings, or lessons in all matters, and therefore enable me to “don’t worry, be happy.”
