It was just brought to my mind that an often overlooked illicit lover of our soul is our inclination to worry constantly.

Jesus was clear about this when he addressed this issue in Matthew 6: 25-34. His reasoning was simple and quite relevant to all of us:

1. "Are you not much more valuable than they?" (Matt 6:26 NIV) We are immensely important to God! This is why His Son willingly died on a cross for us! This is why He paid the price of our sins with His own blood! This is why He is offering eternity to us! He wants us to draw closer and closer to Him! How can we worry when God puts so much importance on me, you and my friend Joe?

2. "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" (Matt 6:27 NIV) I never met anyone who was able to lead a healthier, more satisfying life by worrying! In fact recent studies indicate: "over 85% of all that we worry about never happens." (See http://www.communicationsdoctor.com/articles/worry.pdf ) Worrying is a worthless pursuit! It doesn't add anything to the quality of our lives! In fact it keeps us from enjoying real life!

3. "O you of little faith?" (Matt 6:30 NIV) God is not impressed with our worry. He sees right through it to the root of our problem: We don't trust Him in all of our circumstances!

4. "Your heavenly Father knows that you need them." (Matt 6:32 NIV) If our Heavenly Daddy knows about our needs, then why do we need to worry about them? Isn't He our Provider in all things?

5. "Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matt 6:34 NIV) One thing is for certain: Trouble awaits us on a daily basis! We can either take these opportunities to worry ourselves into basket cases, or as opportunities to discover the awesome provisions of our loving Father.

When my Father convinced me I had to let my oldest son join the mission team to Kenya, He also provided me with a great learning opportunity. If my son had God's blessing, I really had nothing to worry about. Although he might be thousands of miles away, in a country that could be in turmoil at any time, although planes were crashing left and right, and although my son was only 15 when he left, he was in God's hands and I really could relax! After all, my son couldn't have been in better hands!

Somehow God gave me the necessary inner peace, and although I longed for his emails, I was completely at ease about his situation.

One day at work, several of my colleagues were asking me about my son. One of them blurted out: "How can you sit there so relaxed? I would be a nut case if I were you!"

I smiled and told her "It is a great learning opportunity for him (and for me as well)!"

"Yes, but what if something bad happens to him?"

I wanted to tell her that there are no ifs in God's vocabulary. Instead, I just smiled. I would later realize that my colleagues were more worried about my son than I was! How was that possible?

It's simple. God gave me that peace and He can give it to you as well!

Worry-free living is indeed possible if we rely 100% on God at all times. This why He encourages us to: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matt 11:28-29 NIV)

To be honest, I am not always worry-free. If you don't believe me, ask my wife! Sometimes I am blinded by my circumstances. That's when worries clog my vision!

"Papa, I'm 16 now and can get my learner's permit. I would like to learn how to drive!"

This is really worry-some! Or… should I leave this in God's hands as well?

Rob Chaffart