Living A Worry-Free Life

By Rev Alvin Tan

Jesus commands his followers to not worry. For those who are already living in worry, he commands, “Stop the worrying.” For those who are about to start worry, he declares, “Don't take that step. Don't even begin.”
Worry can destroy our lives. It affects people and their relationship. It affects even their sleep. It destroys their faith. It also affects their health. Someone once said, “Worrying is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but gets you no where.”

In Matthew 6:19-33, Jesus provides three solutions for a worry-free life. These solutions require a change in attitude, values and focus. These require repentance, a seeking of divine help, and an honest evaluation of our lives.

1. MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION . (6:19-25a)
In Matthew 6:19-25, Jesus reminds us, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

What we decide with our treasure and who we serve determine whether we would turn out to be worriers or worshippers.
Jesus tells us that a worry-free life is a result of making the right decision.
What are those decisions?
Firstly, the decision to prefer non-perishable, durable, eternal and heavenly treasures over treasures that is perishable, non-durable, temporary and earthly treasures. You can live a worry-free life when our treasures are safe in His arms.

Secondly, the decision to live according to God's revelation and direction. This is the issue of the two “eye conditions” that Jesus pointed out in Matthew 6:22-23. The good eye sees. It is acquainted with the things of God. It refers to a life guided by biblical truth and values. The bad eye is blind. It is incapable of seeing beyond itself. It is a selfish eye. Knowing the truth and deciding to live by it keeps you from worry.

Thirdly, the decision to serve the right master. To serve Jesus leads to a worry-free life. To decide to live by other “gods” means you will have to trust someone else. Remember in Proverbs 3:6, “whoever we acknowledge will direct our path.”

2. TRUST THE RIGHT FATHER (6:26, 32)
Jesus says, ‘to worry and have a Heavenly Father” does not make sense. How can you worry when you have a Heavenly Father? Worrying is a pointless exercise, a total waste of time, effort and energy. Worrying will shorten your life. As children of God, we need to rediscover the Father God. Some relate with God as they relate to their earthly fathers. Absent, uncaring, unable, undependable earthly fathers do not represent the Heavenly Father. Our Heavenly Father's love for us is unfailing, unconditional and He is there to pick us up when we are down.

When we have a personal relationship with Him and realize that He rules over all things, then trusting in Him becomes natural. We are reminded in the scriptures that God is faithful and will make a way for us in our situations, giving us the ability to stand up over our situations.

3. PURSUE THE RIGHT AMBITION (6:33)

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you” as stated in Matthew 6:33. This is Jesus' alternative for worry. Instead of worrying about food, water, clothes and the like, we are to passionately seek God's kingdom and His righteousness. When we take care of God's business, God will take care of your personal business.
As His children who set their minds on things that are above, our focus differs from others. We are different because our God reigns and has the best in mind for us. He is our Source of everything. Pursue His kingdom, make it your central priority, and make it your dream.
The kingdom Jesus refers to is His personal reign and rule. So what does it mean to seek His kingdom above all?
First , it means to desire that one's own life be placed under Christ's rule. To seek God's rule in my life means that I want His will be done in every aspect of my life.
Second , it means a passion to see people enter God's kingdom so that they too might experience the life-giving kingdom and personal relationship with Jesus.
If you have lived in worry, it is time to make some important changes. Make the right decision. Trust the right Father. Pursue the right ambition. You will be greatly rewarded now and in the future.

Try Jesus today!