Matthew 6:27 “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

It’s interesting that modern medical science says that anxiety actively shortens life. That certainly puts an exclamation point on what Jesus says here! I have heard it said that the ability to worry, to project potential bad events into the future, was an important survival mechanism. Those who worried about whether wild animals would come into their dwellings to eat them were more likely to survive to leave progeny than those who didn’t. However, there are certainly limits to the usefulness of such a response. We are created for faith, to trust God and be obedient to Him, whatever goes on in our lives. This isn’t a simple “don’t care” attitude; we are indeed to care deeply about what happens in our lives. However, as Jesus said so famously in verse 33, it’s a matter of priorities. If we seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness, then all our needs will be met. If the things of God are an afterthought, then there’s no telling what will happen! The devil does all he can to distract us from the things of God, and he’s all too often completely successful. He doesn’t much care what he uses to that end, whether it’s things that seem good to us or things that seem bad, just so long as they aren’t the things of God, and what He’s saying to us. The issue isn’t the externals, but our attitude. Some people can be wealthy and totally dedicated to God, and some people are totally consumed by their wealth. Some people can go through great trials and come out as saints, and others are embittered by far lesser difficulties. As Paul famously said, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7) We need to be situationally aware, but at the same time reject anxiety. That’s far easier to say than to do, but by the grace and help of God it’s both possible and glorious.

I am thankfully not an anxious person by personality. I think that comes from my never having reason to doubt that I was loved – which included being appropriately disciplined. I have always had the conviction that God was not capricious, doing things for no reason. With the conviction that God loved me, whether I deserved it or not, and that His plans for me were good, what did I have to be anxious about? That said, I’m as human as the next person. I have indeed had times of worrying about what was going to happen, but they have never benefited me, and I’m deeply aware of that. That has led to a tendency not to plan ahead, which hasn’t been good, but it has contributed to my overall physical health. My cortisol levels are definitely on the low side! God has been very gracious to me, but the longer I live, the more I know that it is entirely grace, and not something I have earned. Several years ago He told me to rest, relax, and rejoice in Him. I still don’t do it perfectly, but it’s a great way to live!

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for getting us to this conference so successfully yesterday. Everything about the trip flowed very smoothly, and I’m grateful. I pray that all of Your plans for this conference, not just for me but for every participant, will be fulfilled as You desire and intend, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!