I was reminded of a story I heard a number of years ago.  A man was leaving his city on a journey.  It was in the 1800’s, he wasn’t affluent, and so he was walking to his destination. Many people were walking on the same road and as he walked he noticed a man approaching in a robe and a hood.  Thinking that he might be a religious man he greeted him and asked him about his business in the city where this man had lived for many years.  The hooded figure replied, “ I am Death and I am going to claim those whose days have been fulfilled.  Don’t be alarmed; you’re not on my list. ”  Regardless, the man quickly disengaged from the conversation and went on his way.   Four days later he was returning and encountered Death on his way out.  The city cemetery was just outside the city walls and he noticed dozens of families standing around fresh graves mourning their losses.  The man spoke to Death and said, “How does it feel to know you are responsible for the sorrow of so many?” Death replied, “It’s what I do.  But actually, I only claimed a few of those.  Worry and fear took the rest.”

Jesus spoke to his disciples about worry.  “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes” (Mt.6:25)?  Jesus then went on to say, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Mt. 6:33-34).

Most of us agree with the principle Jesus taught but follow up our agreement with the thought,  “Easier said than done!”  Nearly all of us are prone to worry regardless of our commitment to cease worrying.  In fact, the more we focus on not worrying, the more we worry.  We fall into Paul’s dilemma of doing the things we hate.  So how do we escape lying in bed at night or early in the morning and worrying about the meeting, the bills, our health, our children, and so forth.  Thankfully, Jesus offers a practical approach at the end of his teaching on worry.  There he counsels us to seek first the kingdom of God.

The implication is that we can derail the worry train by shifting our focus from the stuff we are worrying about to greater things that have far greater implications. Think about the things of God, eternal things, life-changing things that he allows us to participate it.  If you are worrying about something that you can actually do something about then do it – with the Lord at your side.  But most of us worry about things we know we cannot affect. In those moments think about bigger things until those thoughts produce prayer and prayer produces peace.

Bigger things, kingdom things remind us of how big our God is and should remind us of how much he loves us. A true recognition of a Father’s power and greatness along with his immense love for us should calm much of our worry.  In addition, one of the “fruits of the Spirit” is peace which the Holy Spirit is able to release when we enter into prayer. Jesus was clear that worry cannot increase our days although in certainly has the capacity to decrease our days.  So Jesus tells us to reflect on how the Father provides for things that have much less value than we do and to reflect on the big goals of the kingdom in which you are involved or can be involved. Seek first the kingdom.

Worry is about perspective.  How big is the issue really?  How much difference will it make a hundred years from now in your life?  What is too big for God and why would I think that he would not involve himself in my struggles when I ask? God’s faithfulness, God’s love, God’s power, God’s priorities – those are the things to think about when worry seeps up in the midst of the night. Worry is fear and fear is not faith so think on things that build your faith.  That is the solution to worry.  So… be blessed and don’t worry!