Three times in Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus commands us not to worry—v. 25, 31, 34. Like a football coach at practice making his players practice the same play over and over, Jesus says: “Run it again!” The word “worry” occurs six times in this text.

For every Christian, some things are incompatible. You cannot serve God and money (24). You can’t worry and have faith at the same time. So Jesus says: “Stop worrying!” God is willing and able to care for those who trust him. So Jesus says: “Stop worrying!” Those who seek God’s kingdom and righteousness first will have all their needs met. So Jesus says: “Stop worrying!”

Failure to view your life from a proper context promotes anxiety. All our earthly possessions are in a continual state of risk. Jesus reminds us not to be preoccupied with our own security. We need to get our priorities right about our possessions and our needs.

Worry is endemic to the human race. Our accelerated pace produces high tension leading to worry. Worry is an internal disturbance at the emotional and psychological level that disrupts life. Anxiety is fear in search of a cause. Sedatives and psychiatry can’t cure it.

Worry is one of our most common sins. We all need a divine tranquility, and Jesus offers it. He tells us to stop worrying about that trinity of cares—what you will eat, drink, or wear.

Our worries about these things are well illustrated in the advertising industry. Sleep on “My Pillow,” and you’ll always get a good night’s rest. Get on Nutrisystem and lose that excess weight. Drink this wine or that beer and you’ll be happy; wear this underwear from Victoria’s Secret and you’ll look sleek and enticing. Use this deodorant and you’ll smell fresh.

We’re all about the welfare of the body: how to feed it, clothe it, warm it, cool it, refresh it, relax it, and entertain it. 

When Jesus tells us not to worry about these things, he is making a logical argument—If God feeds the birds who live day to day and don’t prepare or produce their food, then he will feed you. When was the last time you saw a flock of birds in the field wearing overalls and planting seeds? When was the last time you observed a family of birds in the checkout line at the pet store with a shopping cart stacked to the ceiling with birdseed?

Jesus makes an argument from the lesser to the greater. Aren’t you of more value than the sparrows?

Said the Robin to the sparrow, I should really like to know

Why these anxious human beings rush about and worry so;

Said the Sparrow to the Robin, friend I think that it must be

That they have no heavenly father such as cares for you and me.

Who knew a sparrow would become a preacher! A Raven a theologian!

Quoth the Raven—“Worry no more”!

Jesus asks a theological question (aren’t you of more value than birds?) and a pragmatic question (can you add one minute to your life by worry?).

The key to the problem of worry is found in v. 30: when we worry, our middle name is “little faith.” Worry is a faith failure.

Worry assumes: 1) God doesn’t know my needs; 2) God lacks power to meet my needs; 3) God doesn’t care enough to meet my needs.

Jesus tells us the difference between pagans and Christians is a matter of what each is obsessed with. Pagans are obsessed with life’s necessities. Christians are obsessed with God’s kingdom. Jesus ups the ante. He makes anxiety a matter of who is a true disciple and who is an outsider!

Christians don’t worry because their top priority is God’s kingdom and living out his principles.

We are practicing social distancing so as not to become infected with COVID-19. We need to practice material distancing—a detachment from obsessing over material things.

That’s why we don’t worry about tomorrow. “Tomorrow” is a reference not just to the next 24 hours of your life, but to all your future life. Today’s troubles are enough for today. Worry is a waste. It doubles trouble. All worry is about tomorrow, but it is experienced today. Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday. Jesus humorously personified the future as a fretting, floor-pacing, hand-wringing; hyper-ventilating fellow on the brink of an anxiety attack.

Obsessional worry is incompatible with God’s care and common sense.

Trust God as your creator and sustainer. Embrace His mission.

Anxiety is a barometer of your God. It’s also a barometer of your faith.

Tomorrow is not your problem.