fear & worry

Luke 12

6 "What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins?

Yet God does not forget a single one of them.

7 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.

So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

22 Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said,

"That is why I tell you don't worry about everyday life;

whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear.

23 For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing.

24 Look at the ravens.

They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them.

And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!

25 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

26 And if worry can't accomplish a little thing like that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things?

  27 "Look at the lilies 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.

28 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow,

he will certainly care for you.

Why do you have so little faith?

  29 "And don't be concerned about what to eat and what to drink.

Don't worry about such things.

30 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world,

but your Father already knows your needs.

31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.

  32 "So don't be afraid, little flock.

For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.

There you have it.

How many times did Jesus say “don't be afraid” in these 2 passages?

How many times did He say not to worry about things?

And how many will let go of our fear & worrying after reading these 2 passages fromLuke 12?

Probably none of us?

Why?

Because we don't trust Jesus to come through.

We just don't think He will.

How many times does Jesus Himself say in the 4 gospels that we don't need to be afraid, & that we don't need to worry?

And yet, we don't trust Him.

We don't believe Him.

We think we've got to worry & be on guard (iow, be afraid), because we believe that nobody else is gonna take care of us.

Nobody's got our backs, least of all, Jesus.

It's a choice – to believe Him, or not.

Learning to not be afraid & not to worry takes time.

I didn't get the way I am overnight.

Neither did you.

I'm not going to quit being afraid or quit worrying overnight.

It's just a decision to consciously decide to try to not be afraid, & to not worry.

And allow myself to be put in fearful or worrisome situations

where I can exercise that conscious decision to not let fear rule my thinking

& to let go of all the worry about everything under the sun,

& just trust Him to come through for me,

even though I don't see how,

& to not worry & “what if” my life & energy away.

It's tough, but what are the alternatives?

A life that is jammed further & further into a little box, a mere shadow of what it could have been.