Do not worry
Deutsch
English A rabbi writes about the way of life of animals: I have never seen a deer drying figs, nor a lion carrying anything, nor a fox being a merchant, and yet they were all fed without worrying about it.
Jesus does not claim that animals do not work: none are more industrious than the sparrows or the blackbirds, who on wet days pull worms out of the ground for food. But they don't worry. Take a look out the window and you'll see them hard at work.
1. Prevention forbidden?
Don’t worry about tomorrow, Jesus told his disciples. Tomorrow will take care of things. Isn't that too simple? Can you just live without a care in the world? That would be irresponsible!
We have to take precautions and protect ourselves against possible eventualities in life. Of course, some precautions and insurance are necessary, but people also like to do business with people's fear of the future. Jesus' statement helps us to understand better:
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34 (ESV)
On the one hand, what the saying goes is certainly true: “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.”
We should not be careless about the realities of everyday life. On the other hand, we must not allow ourselves to be driven and determined by worries. A healthy trust in God should always be our companion.
2. Don't worry pointlessly
We often have worries that later turn out to be completely unnecessary.
People worry about what the future holds, what might happen if this or that situation were to occur. Worries and fears about the future can really take us prisoner.
A seasoned pastor once preached a sermon on “worrying.” One sentence was: “Worrying means bringing tomorrow’s problems into today.” He talked about how often we worry uselessly because things often turn out differently than we think.
We don't want to misunderstand Jesus and live our lives completely thoughtlessly. But trust in him in all things.
3. Live with complete trust in God
He knows our lives and directs them. This knowledge gives great confidence. No matter how much we may worry, no human being can add a single margin to his life.
Yesterday is over - tomorrow is not yet here - today the Lord will help.
Hans Helmut Gollwitzer once said: Prayer is the door out of the prison of our worries.
4. Bible words
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6 (ESV)
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
6 So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6 (ESV)
Author: Egon Waechter
Pictures: https://pixabay.com/de
