“And seek you not what you shall eat, or what you shall drink, neither be of anxious mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knows that you have need of these things.”
– Luke 12:29-30
From our very first moments of consciousness in this world we are trained in the awareness of our needs. As infants we cry because we are cold, hungry, or feeling separated. That is a very strong history of thinking processes that are a part of who we are in this world.
As we grow, we are taught the necessity of the things we need by rote and by example – even the urgency of that need – and we apply that mind set instinctively. Most every need comes with that sense of urgency and even panic until it is met. Then Jesus comes along and tells us not to do that!??
Many, many struggle with the attempt to overcome their ingrained way of thinking – to remain calm and just trust. And often condemnation and self-recrimination are the results as that instinctive worry still appears. Again – many, many struggle with this! You are not the only one, and you are not failing when this happens. Jesus knows what our minds are trained into because He was also a man, born and trained into this world. He, of course, did not conduct Himself with that sense of urgency. Why?
Most every need comes with that sense of urgency and even panic until it is met.
Until it is met. As a man Jesus would have experienced the instinctive reaction to worry. The 40 days in the wilderness would have been a huge opportunity for those thoughts because He was without shelter or food, among wild animals, and likely not aware of how long He would be there – at least it’s not indicated He knew how long in Scripture. He did not have the anxious mind because He knew His needs were met. He had settled in the truth that His Father would not abandon Him, and would meet His needs regardless of what it may seem like. And the Spirit of God within Him confirmed that so Jesus had no conflict in His mind with the thoughts of His Father.
We have that also. The Spirit of God dwells in us to guide our thoughts, and an anxious mind is only one that is in conflict with the thoughts of our Father. When we settle in the truth that our needs are met in Him we are empowered to have peace rather than worry.
“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”
– Philippians 4:19
We do not have to struggle in our own strength to not worry. We only need to settle with ourselves that our needs are met. Choose to believe that deliberately and the power of God’s Spirit will support that act of faith. Practice it until it is what you do – instinctively.
So what does it look like to not worry? How do we practice it? When our need is met we stop thinking about it and move on to other things. When worry tries to make a place in a need settle it that the need is met – and move on to other things.
God will never abandon you. God will meet your needs.
“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”
– Matthew 7:11
Let God provide in His time and in His way because He knows how much is involved, and He knows your limits, and He does not fail. Trust Him. Don’t waste time worrying over it. Settle it in the truth.
