Do we trust God, or do we worry and fill our life with anxiety?

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus shares with us how we are to handle life’s issues. “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?” (Matthew 6:25 NLT). Jesus is talking about being preoccupied with the material possessions of life, being so wrapped up in securing things that we become anxious, disturbed, and sleepless. When we become overly concerned and entangled with the affairs of this world, we forget eternity. Material things can only make a person comfortable, look good, taste good, and feel good, but this is all they can do. They are external.

Worry reveals many things about a person. It shows a faulty understanding of God. It indicates you don’t fully trust God’s promises. And unfortunately, it reveals your circumstances may master you. The need you sense within is not to be externally comfortable but inwardly and spiritually satisfied! Jesus described the discipline for victory over worry and anxiety, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need”(Matthew 6:33 NLT).

The apostle Paul blesses us with practical application to overcome anxiety and worry, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7 ESV).

The first person to reach the status of a billionaire was a man who knew how to set goals. He tailored every decision he made, attitude, and relationship to create his power and wealth. At the age of 23, he had become a millionaire and, by age 50, a billionaire. But three years later, at 53, he became ill. His entire body became racked with pain, and he lost all of his hair. In complete agony, the world’s only billionaire could buy anything he wanted, but he could only digest milk and crackers. An associate wrote, “He could not sleep, would not smile, and nothing in life meant anything to him.” His personal, highly skilled physicians predicted he would die within a year.

The year passed agonizingly slow. As he approached death, he awoke one morning with vague remembrances of a dream but knew it had to do with not being able to take any of his successes with him into the next world. The man who could control the business world suddenly realized he was not in control of his own life. He called for his attorneys, accountants, and managers and announced that he wanted to channel his assets to hospitals, research, and Christian missionary work. 

On that day, John D. Rockefeller established his foundation. The list of findings resulting from his newfound charitable focus is striking. His new direction eventually led to the discovery of penicillin, cures for current strains of malaria, tuberculosis, and diphtheria. Perhaps the most fantastic part of Rockefeller’s story is when he began to give back a portion of all he had earned; his body began to heal! He was told he would die at the age of 53, but when he started the quest of generosity, he lived a long life of 98.

Rockefeller learned and experienced the blessing and miracle-working biblical principle, “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” (Malachi is 3:10-12 NLT).

Obedience to God leads to biblical blessings!

Blessings,

Dr. Steven M. Lennertz

Founder/Pastor

Eagle Ridge Church