There is No Need to Worry

[Millie is a 19-year-old homeschool graduate. She used to write for Homeschooling Teen, and now she’s going to write for us again! Welcome back Millie! -ed.]

By Millie Hawkins

“…I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear…but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.” Matthew 6:25-34 NLT

Of all the chapters of the Bible (in which I love all of them) Matthew 6 by far has to be one of my particular favorites.

As a person who enjoys reading material that both encourages and inspire me I feel that this chapter sums up every word that my heart has ever yearned to hear. One of the main reasons why I feel so passionately regarding this biblical chapter is due to a sentiment that I feel quite often, which is worry. Unfortunately, I am confident to say that I am not alone in suffering with this unpleasant emotion. To me, what makes that previous statement so grievous is that as Christ Followers we are told not to feel this way, what makes that statement even more so grievous is that as Christ Followers we don’t have to feel this.

What is Worrying?

According to dictionary.com worrying is to torment oneself with or suffer from disturbing thoughts. You know, those nagging thoughts that stay stuck in your head of what if I don’t pass that test or what if I don’t get that job or what of the dentist has pull all of my teeth out. Etc… the list could go on and on. Those dreadful what if thoughts that can sometimes even keep you awake at night tossing and turning in your bed.

In Matthew 6:25-34 Jesus clearly told the disciples not to worry about their life, food, drink or body, nor even what they would wear. The reason why was answered a few sentences later. The reason being is, ladies and gentlemen, worrying cannot add a single moment to your life. Worrying won’t help relieve your worry. Usually, worrying only brings up new and or bigger worries. I know, this is easier said than done, as I stated earlier worrying is something that we all do, myself included. But even though it is common occurrence for the average person it doesn’t make it right or okay. Think about that last time you worried about a situation. Whether it was a test you had to take, a medical appointment, an interview, meeting etc. whatever it was I want you to think about it, now think about how bad you were worried about your situation, finally I want you to think about how the actual moment you were so anxious about played out. Whether the situation turned out better than you expected, worse than you could’ve imagined or about how you figured it would what benefit did all that worrying have on you?  The only thing worrying did was steal precious time away from you.

The Cure for Anxiety

Christ instructs his children to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Seeking first God’s Kingdom can be done by praying, reading your bible and aiding another believer.  Along with prayer, praise is extremely powerful. Personally I find myself relieved of worry as soon as a go to help, whether physically with my hands, verbally with words of encouragement and even through saying a prayer for a fellow brother or sister in Christ or emotionally with my presence, giving them comfort. Of course I did not exhaust the list of ways to seek first God kingdom and his righteousness I only named a few. Listen to God and let Him lead you the way he sees fit.

So the next time you feel anxiety arise within you pray a prayer to God expressing what you are worried about and why you are worried about it, praise God thanking Him for His goodness and for all he’s done for you, then go to another believer and see if and how you can help them. Remember that you Father in Heaven already knows what need before you even ask. Also I strongly encourage you to read Matthew 6:25-34 for yourself. I think you too will find it to be awe-inspiring.