“Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes” (Luke 12:22-23).
Worry is exhausting.
It consumes our time and attention until it’s all we think about. Nothing good comes from it, and yet it’s a trap we fall into time and time again. We don’t want to—that ever-present source of tension and stress isn’t something we want in our lives at all.
Jesus wasn’t saying, “You want an easy fix for your worrying? Just stop. Don’t do it!” That would be as pointless as telling someone with a sickness to stop being sick. See what worry does. It steals our focus away from where it needs to be in life. Our focus needs to be on our relationship with God. So much in life tries to snatch our attention away from that!
Jesus knew the real problem eating away at the people’s hearts. It’s the same one that exists deep in our hearts too. The real problem isn’t worry—that’s just what’s seen on the surface. Worry is a reaction to our circumstances and what’s around us. But what’s the source of that worry?
In reflection, I realize it’s this: I am afraid. I don’t always trust that my Father in heaven will provide for me. And so, I worry. I doubt. I doubt that God really loves me—that he really cares about me. He does. Jesus gave several illustrations that the crowd could see with their own eyes to drive his point home, using the ravens and the flowers of the field.
Jesus encouraged the people to remember who is in control of all things—their heavenly Father. Not them. Not us. God. He knows what we need. He clothes the flowers of the field; he gives food to the birds of the air. Does he not care about his people so much more? He does.
Then how come it doesn’t always look like it? How come it sometimes looks like God has abandoned us to deal with our problems all on our own? Sin. This world is not the world God intended for us to have. But we don’t always remember that because we’re too worried, too distracted by all the things we can’t control.
And so, we try to take charge of things ourselves. I may not be able to add more time to my life or fix certain problems my loved ones are dealing with, but at least I can focus on what I can do—I’ll work hard; I’ll stay busy, so consumed with all the things I’m doing that I don’t have time to worry. I’m not really dealing with the problem. I’m just avoiding it.
Sooner or later, as I chase after the things that don’t last, I’ll begin to realize that my time here will end. And that can be terrifying because I know I’m a sinful man. What will happen then? I know what God says, but there’s still that sliver of fear deep in my heart that just won’t go away.
Jesus speaks to that fear with what he said next to a crowd full of real people with real problems, just like us. Jesus could see the worry and fear in their eyes. He can see it in us too. “Do not be afraid, little flock.” Jesus didn’t leave it at that. He gave more. He gave the reason that we don’t have to be afraid—the reason we don’t have to be worried in this life, no matter what:“for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).
Our Father has been pleased to give us the kingdom. Heaven is ours. A home in heaven is waiting for us. Not because of anything we’ve done, but solely because of the perfect life, innocent suffering and death, and triumphant resurrection of our Savior Jesus. Our sins have been washed away in his blood. Our worries, our doubts and fears, and all other sins we commit every day—they’re gone.
Because of Jesus, God forgives us. He loves us so much. We’re his children. We’re holding on to that knowledge. Our God urges us to focus on that throughout life here on earth. No matter what happens here, the kingdom is ours, given to us by our God. The kingdom is ours. Heaven is our home—that’s where we want to be. And God says that’s where we’re going to be when this short life has ended.
That’s the promise God makes. And our God keeps his promises. He promises never to abandon his children or leave us behind. He’s bringing us home. We’re but strangers here—heaven is our home. That’s where our treasures and hearts are.
So, dear Christian, do not worry and have no fear. God’s kingdom is yours.
Everywhere you turn, you face bad news—whether it’s the economy, threats of terrorism, natural disasters, violence, or another friend has just been diagnosed with cancer. Maybe you or someone you know just lost a loved one. We all struggle or grieve at one time or another and wonder where to turn for comfort. The three hundred devotions from Meditations in the collection For Such a Time as This all emphasize gospel comfort and are especially meaningful during times of struggle, worry, and grief.
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Alex Brown is the marketing and content copywriter at Northwestern Publishing House. He has his Master of Divinity degree from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and enjoys reading, writing, and spending time in God’s creation.
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