What Would Jesus Worry About? https://thetrumpet/article/4240.3276.0.0/religion/bible/what-would-jesus-worry-about In His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6), Jesus Christ enumerated several principles, or guidelines, for beating stress, anxiety and worry. Let’s notice what they are. First, you must decide not to worry. Jesus said: “Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?” (Matthew 6:25). Think about it. The advertising industry would like us to believe that if we don’t have a swimming pool in our backyard, a shiny new car, an iPhone, new clothes and a two-week vacation at the beach every year, we’re really missing out on life! Buying into that illusion can easily turn us into workaholics or discontents, or bury us in debt. Happiness is not synonymous with riches. We ought to be thankful for what we have, rather than anxious or stressed about how we can get more. Here, Christ is helping put our values in perspective. Second, you must discover your worth to God. Christ says, “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” (verse 26). Due to our incredible human potential, God values human life infinitely more than any animal’s life. And those who turn to God and seek to walk in His ways should never doubt that He will always provide for our every need and even give us many of our desires. Remember, however, that it is only when you “[d]elight thyself also in the Lord” that “he shall give thee the desires of thine heart” (Psalm 37:4). Third, realize that worrying doesn’t help. Christ’s next comment on the topic of worry and stress was expressed in the simple question: “Which of you by taking thought [worrying] can add one cubit unto his stature?” (Matthew 6:27). Worrying is not constructive; rather, it can be destructive, compounding anxiety and causing further stress. If you have an issue on your mind, ensure your thought patterns about the subject are constructive, leading toward a solution, a conclusion. If they are not, or if your thoughts only cause added stress over the issue, get control of your mind and discard the fruitless thoughts.
Posted on: Mon, 16 Sep 2013 07:37:04 +0000
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