Matthew 6:25,34, New Living Translation

"That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life-whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing? So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today."

Not worrying doesn't mean that we should not think about or plan ahead, but that we are not to be anxious. Each day has too many unavoidable worries of its own for us to indulge in worries about the future as well. We weren't meant to carry the burdens of tomorrow, but to live for today and trust Jesus with our future.

Anxiety over tomorrow’s concerns will rob you of the strength for today. Getting stuck in worry will steal your joy and make you ineffective for the work God wants to do through your life. If Satan can keep you immobilized by fear he can steal from you the energy to serve Christ in this generation. Remember how the disciples responded after Christ was killed? After seeing their beloved Jesus crucified, their fear drove them into hiding. What if the disciples had become so consumed with worry that they stayed in the shadows until the day they died?

Sometimes worrying about what others think of us can steal our drive to serve Christ. What if Peter’s anxiety over his denial of Jesus or Thomas’ shame over his doubt affected their testimonies for the rest of their lives. Would the Gospel still have been shared? I'm sure it would have. But if they were imprisoned by worry, they would have missed out on all the incredible assignments God had for them. The same is true for you and me. We can let worry blind us to what God wants to do in and through us. I believe the enemy wants us to worry so we lose our focus on God, and don't trust Him and His plans for our lives. 

Worry is not something that only happens to the weak or new Christian. It’s something that happens to all of us at different seasons of life. So, how do we fight worry?

First, we pray. Sometimes we may pray, “Why God? Why me? Why us? Why now?” But this is not the right way to pray. Rather than pleading with God to show you why, ask Him to show you how to walk through the trial in a manner that pleases Him and brings glory to Christ.

Second, remember God’s character and attributes. He is a God that will never leave and is always there for us. We can fight worry by remembering that God is for us no matter what man may try to do. “In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 56:11).

Next, focus on the eternal and not the here and now. Colossians 3:2 reminds us to set our affections on things above rather than things of earth. When your thoughts are on Christ and His Kingdom your eternal perspective will help you make sense of worrisome circumstances.

Lastly, we need to trust Jesus. Even though He asks you to trust Him when life doesn’t make sense, Jesus feels your pain and grieves with you, even though He knows the good that will one day come from your trial. You can cast your worries at Jesus’ feet and know that He is praying for you; He is an ever-present help in your time of need. And you can rest in God’s promise that, in His timing that “all things work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28).

My prayer for you and I is that we put Jesus first in every area of our lives. That we ask Him to help us live one day at a time and to not worry about tomorrow, but instead focus on what we are doing in our lives right now. I pray we trust in Him and His promises to take care of every one of our needs — financial, relational, physical, social, spiritual, and emotional. I pray we trust you Jesus more and worry less. In Jesus’ Name. Amen!