Luke 12:29-34
THE biggest question is how to overcome worry? Jesus gave radical instructions so his disciples could live above the pressure of worry. These instructions were harder to accept than to understand. Enter the word “struggle” before we understand surrender.
The Master reminds us that we belong to a kingdom with radical principles which collide with the world. Living a life of faith and full dependency on God will hurt you and those with high expectations of you. Overcoming worry calls for total dependence on GOD and big-time disappointment with the people you love.
Choices, convictions and lifelong, long-term commitments will be “idiotic” in the eyes of the worried world. Your faith amidst uncertainty will appear foolish to them. Your peace and contentment will be seen as mediocrity. Your loose grip on material things will mean hypocrisy to many. Yes, idiotic in the sight of the brilliant world, obedient in the sight of a holy GOD.
The Master's instructions regarding the worry problem will 1) Deal directly with the very basic issue of living. 2) Drive you out of the safe and neutral ground into a clear definition of your true devotion. 3) Disclose your fears so you can specifically live by faith in God. 4) Destroy your confidence in things, and diminish your appetite to accumulate, making it now your relentless passion to generously share, not your leftover but your everything as God gives the opportunity!
Radical indeed!
Simple but not simplistic... the basis of what contentment is, having food and drink. Think about it... when we are not worried about these basics, we find it easier to not be controlled by other worries. The basis of not worrying about food or drink is our faith in Christ that links us to the Father who has now become our Father too! Take a deep breath ... Jesus said your Father already knows what you need! That's why we don’t worry!
Instead, we seek God first and His kingdom! Our fears are calmed by the fact that we need not be afraid about not being in control of everything, for only GOD IS IN CONTROL OF EVERYTHING! It’s not an issue of poverty or prosperity...it is an issue of our being control freaks. We desire a kingdom where we rule and all things happen our way. The author of the book “Control Freaks” aptly said “the soul of every control freak is riddled with anxiety.” Let us come to GOD today with these suggested prayer. Pray it sincerely and see how God's peace will help us overcome worry:
Abba, because of Christ's death and resurrection I can start living and enjoying instead of worrying...teach me to live by Faith!
Abba, help me seek your Kingdom first above all else...Cleanse me from ungodly priorities.
Abba, I take the words of Christ seriously...Deliver me from being possessed by my possessions. I don't want to controlled by my possessions...do what you want!
“Since he did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?” Roman 8:32
May we react to God's faithfulness not just with relief but with rejoicing!
(The Devotional guide “THE STORY”). Thanks for reading.....have a worry-free day!