“But seek first his kingdom(A) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (B) Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” – Matthew 6:33-34
These two verses seem to have put two beautiful concepts together. One truly needed and useful for a person like me who worries a lot. Worry seems to be second nature to us. I don’t wish to include you, my dear DBS brothers and sisters, but if you do, then I’ll smile and say I’m not alone.
We worry about our health and wealth. We worry about our children and parents. We worry about the future. But who can fault us for this? We care, so we worry.
But Jesus says, seek first God’s kingdom, and all things will be given to us as well. At this point, I am strongly reminded that the moment I put God above all else and primarily, everything will fall into its place. The result will be ‘peace beyond understanding.’ Many times, when I get to worry about things, I feel my stomach reacting. The science is, of course, simple: when I worry, acid is produced in the tummy. I think it rhymes even.
Matthew 6:27 asks a very poignant question. “Can any one of you, by worrying, add a single hour to your life?” There goes the answer. Even studies reveal that 99% of what people have worried about did not happen. So why allow the acidity that creates ulcers in the stomach and later ulcers of the soul? We have a God who begins and ends with goodness. Even the future we worry about is lightened up in verse 34. I like what Sittser says, “by simply doing the will of God we already know in the present, life will gradually unfold to us, and we will discern His will one step at a time. This leaves me a whole lot of peace knowing there is nothing to worry about because God is here and now as we seek Him…first.
Father God, thank you for being our peace in times of worry and reaching us to focus on You. When we recognize You as the one sitting on the throne in our hearts, and we follow You, You will add all things to us according to Your promise. I thank you in the victorious name of Jesus our Lord and Savior, Amen.
