“Do not worry” (Matthew 6:34)
Humans worry for attaining both virtuous and evil thoughts. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ told us “do not worry” for the vanity world that is unjust. (Matthew 6:34) He knows what we seek and desire in the earthly life. The discerning mind we are endowed by Him is for the wisdom of us. Yet, it is improper to worry about any of it. Patristic Fathers teaching the children of God to “think but not worry” is for this reason. On the temporary earthly life, we shall be thoughtful, careful, “wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16) We are warranted not to fear and worry in Christianity. Whilst the apostles were saddened about the Lord’s suffering and death, He sympathized them saying, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.” (John 14:1)
He further revealed one who is in faith in Him shall not worry. For God is with him, face no fear or worries. He can triumph on all of the tribulations in this world. The Apostle Saint Paul in his epistle taught us as, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) if our faith is preserved, nothing can worry us. Many events have occurred in this universe causing people to be in anxiety, resulting to give up hope. Those in faith of the Lord has passed all of these predicaments considering “that all things work together for good.” (Romans 8:28)
The prophet of God David says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.” (Psalm 46:1-2) The world we live in is a place we rest in temporally. The righteous job said, “Is there not a time of hard service for man on earth?” (Job 7:1) and for this, it is vital to think for the eternity triumphing on all the trials thinking for the better future but not fear or worry. (Job 7:1) Because the apostle has told us like “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) Saint Paul has affirmed our facing trails whilst living in this world; “In the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33) as well as the types of the tribulations. We shall discern how to overcome and preserve from the troubles. However by fear and worry, we shall not lessen our faith, put our heart in bedlam and loses ourselves.
When we say “we shall preserve”, it is to indicate the necessity of attempting to be protected from the evil things that can harm us. The apostle Saint Paul advices us saying, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise.” (Ephesians 5:15) A harmful practice of separation from God’s house, in different from our Christian unity and love of neighbor has become a barrier in our spiritual life. We shall then be wise and have discernment for the better resolution. There is not time that does not pass; nights that do not dawn; or tears that will not wiped. We have to be preserved from all this. “Being careful” is striving to be conserved from things we are not aware of or a thing we assume to occur.
Dear Christians, we are recently being consumed by selfishness, foolishness, lack of faith, racism and tribal division. The purge of these evil applies is to be by the love, sympathy, sincerity and wisdom of people. Let us not worry or fear but discern the way to live with others. As much as we live in faith of God, He will not leave us avowing by His words, “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:18) What is expected from us is to live by His order which is easy. He says, “New commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” (John 13:34) It is important to live by His commandments in loving one another, to be liberated from evil, sinfulness and life full of anxiety.
If we keep His commandments, live by His will, be righteous but still face trials and grief, the Almighty God wills to safeguard us from the darkness upfront by the pillar of light; daily hunters by the clouds, making the sea- land, the dessert- greenery place and uphill-filed, elevating us to a peak. Yet, we have to abide His rule, pray and fast. The Lord has told those who defied His rule, “But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:… you shall be only oppressed and plundered continually.” (Deuteronomy 28-15-30)
May God’s benevolence be with us in keeping His commandment and live by the rule, devoid of worry!
Glory be to God!