Worry
Matthew 6 v 25-34
W/C 6th March 2022 Phil Marlow
Ice Breaker
“I am an old man and have had a great many troubles, but most of them have never happened” Mark Twain
How often have our worst fears proven to be true – or have they never come to pass? Maybe the thing we feared never happened but something completely unexpected happened instead – something we could not ever imagined in our wildest dreams?
Share your stories – either personal or ones you have encountered. Serious or funny!
What happens to our thinking processes when we are in a state of worry?
Introduction
Our study today on worry forms part of the collection of teachings of Jesus which we know as the Sermon on the Mount. It forms part of Jesus teaching on righteous living. Note that it comes immediately after teaching about money.
Read Matthew 6 v 25-34
Q1 – The first word in our passage is “Therefore”. What are the implications of that?
Read back to the previous passage in Matt 6 v19-24. Discuss in your group how this related to our passage today.
In Matt 6 19-24, Jesus talks about storing up treasures on earth, how being blinded by an obsession with earthly wealth at the expense of spiritual treasure can plunge us into darkness. Dramatically, we are told that we cannot effectively serve 2 masters (not 2 employers but 2 masters – think slave masters). The implication is that we are either consumed with a love for God or a love of money/material things.
Q2 – What does Jesus specifically say we should not worry about (v25)? Why these?
Specific things he mentions are: our life and our body, food, drink and our clothing.
It seems that Jesus goes to the very essentials of life. We should not even worry about our life or our body or the things which sustain it and keep it warm (v 25). If we are not to worry about these things, then we should surely not occupy our lives with lesser worries.
Q3 – What is Jesus’ alternative to worry (v33)?
We should seek first his kingdom and righteousness in faith and, Jesus tells us, the other things will fall into place. Explore with your group the link to Jesus’ teaching about money and in particular the dichotomy of not being able to serve both money (for which we could read material things) and God - see Matt 6 v 19-24 and specifically v33.
Q4 – Is Jesus’ comparison with the birds, lilies and grass realistic in or modern world?
I must admit that I can worry with the best of them and have turned to this passage many times when in a stew and have wondered what the picture of the birds and lilies is telling me. Should I just relax and let things drift – escape maybe? But is this what Jesus is really asking us to do?
Maybe the point of the picture is that birds and plants are incapable of worry (we assume!). Look at them – they are incapable of worry and yet their lives go on and God cares for them. He doesn’t guarantee them a perfect life – after all the grass is here today and gone tomorrow and thrown into the fire (v30). But they live their lives and accept the way things are - free from the burden of worry. Worry changes nothing – we can’t worry our lives into a state of perfection – there are so many things we can never control or can never know ahead of time.
Q5 – What are the impacts of worry on our lives?
If our lives become full of worry about material things, then Jesus is clear that the worry will crowd God out of our lives.
Worry stems from our desire to control our lives but achieves nothing except creating an illusion of control. Jesus is clear that he wants us to pursue the path of faith in God over worry.
It is about what we chase after – the loud siren call of security and material wellbeing or the quiet voice of God.
Q6 – So how are we to live our lives without worry – should we relax and put our feet up?
One approach is to follow the pattern of an old youth group friend of mine who felt that if he lounged at home on his parents’ sofa after leaving university that a job satisfying his every need would be presented to him by God. Well, he had his spell of the sofa and with some (not so gentle) encouragement from his parents went out to find a job! Even the birds search for food and even the lilies take in CO2 and sunlight and grow towards the light.
God has given us talents and abilities – we are to use those to provide for ourselves and our family and do so with commitment. After all, our work benefits society and others in general, not just ourselves. It is key to the success and wellbeing of the communities we live in. But having done that, we are to leave it in God’s hands.
Q7 – Does this passage help those of us with serious anxiety issues – either generalised anxiety disorder or more acute issues?
Jesus is principally talking about where our focus lies. If material wealth and comfort is at the centre of our concerns then it will induce worry, fear and anxiety. Our focus affects our relationship with God and, in turn, our lives.
We have to be realistic – Jesus has, throughout the Sermon on the mount, set us stretch targets which we will take a lifetime to reach and, even then, we will fall short. Only by his grace can we be “perfect” as he exhorts us to be in Matt 5 v 17-20.
But for some of us, we may need help to deal with our worry. The abundance of courses and resources dealing with anxiety in both the secular and Christian worlds confirms what we all know – that worry/anxiety is a massive challenge for many of us and we are not alone. I found “The Worry Book” by Will van der Hart and Rob Waller, IVP (Amazon £7.41) particularly helpful in looking at the issues from a Christian perspective. It deals with the causes of worry, the relationship with faith and some possible actions.
For some, prayer and spiritual disciplines will be enough. And some of us will need some professional help.
Q8 – What steps will you take this week to “Seek first his kingdom and righteousness” (v33)?
· Maybe keep a routine of daily prayer and bible study?
· Maybe there is something which needs to be placed in a new perspective?
· Maybe pray/share with a friend or partner and hold each other accountable?
Discuss and share thoughts in the group if that is appropriate.
Q9 – How can we be better at living just for today (see v 24)?
Of course, we need to plan and think ahead – but Jesus tells us that we need to trust and take a day at a time.
Pray
For some these discussions will not be too difficult – they are not natural worriers. For some it may dig deep into areas of uncomfortable or painful struggle. Maybe a lifetime of battling anxiety and feeling guilty about it and/or defeated by it.
To the extent you feel is appropriate, pray for one another in the area of worry and anxiety.
Pray that we might all have a clearer focus on seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness before all else. That our priorities would be right.