Matthew 6:25 NIV“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

Matthew 6:25 Because of the ill effects of worry, Jesus tells us not to worry about the needs that God promises to supply. Worry may

(1) damage your health,

(2) disrupt your productivity,

(3) negatively affect the way you treat others,

(4) rob your day of joy,

(5) reduce your ability to trust in God.

How many ill effects of worry are you experiencing? Here is the difference between worry and genuine concern: Worry immobilizes you, but concern moves you to action.

Matthew 6:33 NIV But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

6:33 To “seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously” means to put God first in your life, to fill your thoughts with his desires, to use his character as your life’s pattern, and to keep on implementing his Kingdom values on earth. What is really important to you? People, objects, goals, and other desires all compete for priority. Any of these can quickly become most important to you if you don’t actively choose to give God first place in every area of your life. In Jesus’ Kingdom, worrying about daily needs leaves us empty. But maintaining a good relationship with him and loving others give us all these benefits as by-products.

Matthew 6:34 NIVTherefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

6:34 Time devoted to planning for tomorrow is time well spent; time devoted to worrying about tomorrow is time wasted. Sometimes it’s difficult to tell the difference. Careful planning is thinking ahead about goals, steps, and schedules, and trusting in God’s guidance. When done well, planning helps alleviate worry. Worrying, by contrast, consumes us with anxiety and makes it difficult for us to trust God. Worriers let their obsession with plans and outcomes interfere with their relationship with God. Don’t let worries about tomorrow affect your relationship with God today.