Tuesday, September 03, 2013

Anxiety v. Faith


Anxiety v. Faith

Anxiety is the opposite of faith. In Matthew 6:25, Jesus said "do not be anxious for your life".  This is an instruction, which should inspire us to obey. But,  Jesus explained why we should not be anxious or worry. 

First, he says God has the ability, the power, to provide for our physical needs. He proves that by feeding and clothing the birds and flowers. 

Second, God wants to provide for us. Jesus said we are more valuable to God than birds or flowers. (26) he is our "heavenly Father". He wants to care for us as a good father wants to care for his sons and daughters. My earthly father went without things so that I could have new school clothes when I Anxiety is the opposite of faith. In Matthew 6:25, Jesus said "do not be anxious for your life".  This is an instruction, which should inspire us to obey. But,  Jesus explained why we should not be anxious or worry. 

First, he says God has the ability, the power, to provide for our physical needs. He proves that by feeding and clothing the birds and flowers. 

Second, God wants to provide for us. Jesus said we are more valuable to God than birds or flowers. (26) he is our "heavenly Father". He wants to care for us as a good father wants to care for his sons and daughters. My earthly father went without things so that I could have new school clothes when I was young. He started saving for my college expenses with his first paycheck after college. Our Heavenly Father loves us this same way. He started saving for my college expenses with his first paycheck after college. Our Heavenly Father loves us this same way. 

Third, God knows what we need. (32) since he knows all things, including the future, he knows our needs better than we do. We often want things for the wrong, selfish reasons. God loves us enough not to give us the wrong things. But he knows the things we truly need and will provide them. You have the word of Jesus on this. 

What do you have? God provided it. Every good gift comes from your Heavenly Father. (James 1:16) 

Our job is not to worry, but to live for God. Jesus said don't worry, seek God's kingdom and righteousness and he will provide your physical needs. (6:33)

When you worry, you declare that you do not believe Jesus. You accuse Jesus of lying about the character of the Father. 

When you worry, you declare that you either do not believe God has the power to provide, or you do not believe God has the desire to provide. Neither is true. Worry profanes the character of God.  

Trust God. Don't just believe in God; believe God. 

Stop worrying and start trusting today.

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