Let Go Of Worry

Jesus talked to His first followers about worry and anxiety. It is obvious He spoke to them about these struggles because they were a regular part of their lives. The more I study and understand the world of Jesus’ day I can understand why worry and anxiety were common traveling partners. The average person faced life and death daily. What might be called “medical care” was primitive and mostly ineffective. The woman Jesus healed who hemorrhaged for years spent all she had “suffered a great deal from many doctors” and “spent everything she had to pay them” but she got “no better.” Taxes were squeezed out of people to finance Rome’s quest to increase power and breadth. Those in power grew wealthier, those paying the taxes became poorer. Men with religious authority and power manipulated the people for personal gain. “They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden.” Matthew 23:4 (NLT) Jesus looked at the crowds of people and “had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew 9:36 (NLT) Listen to Jesus “… 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?” Matthew 6:25 (NLT) “Why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.” Matthew 6:28-29 (NLT) “Don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.” Matthew 6:31-32 (NLT) As we say, “Easier said than done!” What did Ole’ Baloo say? “Forget about your worries and your strife.” Or, as the Apostle Paul wrote: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) Take a deep breath, tell Jesus about it, then let go of it and breath in the peace He offers.