Seek First the Kingdom
It is no surprise that many of us have things in our lives that cause us to have an abnormal level of worry. That is not to say that we shouldn’t be concerned about anything. We will always have things in life that we are concerned about, but the problem is when we let that concern turn into worry and the worry gets out of control.
Have you ever been in a situation that called for healthy concern but instead, your concern quickly morphed into worry? Concern can be defined as 1. Regard for, or interest in someone or something 2. the act of worrying or the condition of being worried 3. persistent mental uneasiness. Some of you may remember using the term worrywart for someone who had the tendency to worry a lot. A Worrywart can be defined as one who worries excessively and needlessly. Though we don’t hear this term much anymore, can you honestly say that you exhibit signs of being a worrywart or persistent mental uneasiness? If you do, don’t worry, the Holy Scripture has an answer for this. Matthew 6:31-34. 31) Therefore, do not worry, saying, what shall we eat? Or What shall we drink? Or What shall we wear? 32) For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your Heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33) But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34) Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble (NKJV).
The Scripture mentions clothing, food, and drink as examples of things that we worry about. Yes, we need clothing to cover our bodies. I am surely going to need more than just my undergarments when I leave the house each day. I love a nice pair of boots, but do I really need to worry about having more pairs of nice boots than my closet can hold just to make sure I have enough to match every outfit I own? Let’s say on your job, someone leaks information that the company is planning a consolidation of as many software applications by replacing them with a brand new one. This could result in some team members being let go. If the information is even accurate, the process would take at least 2 years to come to fruition. The team member who told you what he heard is known for exaggerating things. How would you handle receiving this information? Would you immediately start looking for another job? Would you just up and quit on the spot? Would you just continue to do your job as you have done every day up to this point? This is a real scenario that I experienced. Because of my experience with Jesus as Lord and Savior in my life I was able to continue business as usual while refusing to allow a seed of worry and panic to take root in my heart. God worked things out.
After all, the clothes, food, drink, and any basic needs you have are the first things you would worry about in a situation like this. We worry, yet Matthew 6:32- 33 reminds us that our Heavenly Father knows all that we need and if we seek his kingdom and righteousness first, all that we need will be added to us. All we need now are the first four words of verse 34 which state, therefore do not worry.
Have you ever been in a situation that called for healthy concern but instead, your concern quickly morphed into worry? Concern can be defined as 1. Regard for, or interest in someone or something 2. the act of worrying or the condition of being worried 3. persistent mental uneasiness. Some of you may remember using the term worrywart for someone who had the tendency to worry a lot. A Worrywart can be defined as one who worries excessively and needlessly. Though we don’t hear this term much anymore, can you honestly say that you exhibit signs of being a worrywart or persistent mental uneasiness? If you do, don’t worry, the Holy Scripture has an answer for this. Matthew 6:31-34. 31) Therefore, do not worry, saying, what shall we eat? Or What shall we drink? Or What shall we wear? 32) For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your Heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33) But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34) Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble (NKJV).
The Scripture mentions clothing, food, and drink as examples of things that we worry about. Yes, we need clothing to cover our bodies. I am surely going to need more than just my undergarments when I leave the house each day. I love a nice pair of boots, but do I really need to worry about having more pairs of nice boots than my closet can hold just to make sure I have enough to match every outfit I own? Let’s say on your job, someone leaks information that the company is planning a consolidation of as many software applications by replacing them with a brand new one. This could result in some team members being let go. If the information is even accurate, the process would take at least 2 years to come to fruition. The team member who told you what he heard is known for exaggerating things. How would you handle receiving this information? Would you immediately start looking for another job? Would you just up and quit on the spot? Would you just continue to do your job as you have done every day up to this point? This is a real scenario that I experienced. Because of my experience with Jesus as Lord and Savior in my life I was able to continue business as usual while refusing to allow a seed of worry and panic to take root in my heart. God worked things out.
After all, the clothes, food, drink, and any basic needs you have are the first things you would worry about in a situation like this. We worry, yet Matthew 6:32- 33 reminds us that our Heavenly Father knows all that we need and if we seek his kingdom and righteousness first, all that we need will be added to us. All we need now are the first four words of verse 34 which state, therefore do not worry.
Objective
Seek is an action word and we are responsible for this action
Scripture(s):
Matthew 6:31-34 {Scripture from New King James Study Bible}
Prayer
Father, we stand before you with arms extended in worship. Hearts heavy with worry as we face many unfortunate circumstances. Therefore, Lord we place our trust and hope in you. Your word reminds us that we don’t have to let worry take root in our lives because you already know what we are in need of and will provide for us. Renew our minds so that we will be able to take things one day at a time. Father, today, we give it all to you. In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ we pray! AMEN!
written by: John C. Jones III
Posted in Too Busy Being Busy