Some would say that worry is the opposite of faith. I think that life presents situations and circumstances that can cause us pause or concern. It’s important that we don’t confuse concern with worry. What’s the difference? I think that concerns are things that are brought to our attention, and can be given to God in faith and trust to work it out. Worry to me, is more the continual focus on concerns in such a way that we expend vast mental and emotional energy on them; thereby becoming distracted from God’s ability to handle all things in our lives. The distraction then hinders us from being able to give it over to God. Worry is wrong because it separates us from God through unnecessary distraction.

In our worldly culture and society, we find it very easy to worry about money. What if I lose my job? Suppose I get laid off? How am I going to pay for college? How much will I need to retire? Suppose I get sick and can’t work? These are all things we think and worry about. Worrying about yesterday won’t change the past, and worrying about tomorrow won’t add anything to the future.

Jesus would like us to live worry-free.

In John 14:27, Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you: my peace I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Paul says in Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition … present your requests to God. And the peace of God …, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Jesus wants us to have peace in our hearts. Put all your burdens down as early in the evening as you can. Don’t carry them through the evening and into the night. Pick them up tomorrow if you must. Remember that “worry” does no one any good. Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you!”

Matthew 6:25-27: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

You are valuable, precious children of God and God will take care of you!

Tim Beck is pastor of Kenbridge United Methodist Church. His email address is revtimbeck@gmail.com.