Do not worry about your life… —Matthew 6:25
A warning which needs to be repeated is that “the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches,” and the lust for other things, will choke out the life of God in us (Matthew 13:22). We are never free from the recurring waves of this invasion. If the frontline of attack is not about clothes and food, it may be about money or the lack of money; or friends or lack of friends; or the line may be drawn over difficult circumstances. It is one steady invasion, and these things will come in like a flood, unless we allow the Spirit of God to raise up the banner against it.
“I say to you, do not worry about your life….” Our Lord says to be careful only about one thing— our relationship to Him. But our common sense shouts loudly and says, “That is absurd, I must consider how I am going to live, and I must consider what I am going to eat and drink.” Jesus says you must not. Beware of allowing yourself to think that He says this while not understanding your circumstances. Jesus Christ knows our circumstances better than we do, and He says we must not think about these things to the point where they become the primary concern of our life. Whenever there are competing concerns in your life, be sure you always put your relationship to God first.
“Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34). How much trouble has begun to threaten you today? What kind of mean little demons have been looking into your life and saying, “What are your plans for next month— or next summer?” Jesus tells us not to worry about any of these things. Look again and think. Keep your mind on the “much more” of your heavenly Father (Matthew 6:30).
Journal DJR
Good Morning Lord, It certainly is true, “things” will come in like a flood to fill my schedule, fill my head, and fill my heart unless I (we) do something to prevent it. The first paragraph suggests I allow your Spirit to raise up a banner against it. That sounds good, because me flexing my will power to keep my mind from wandering hasn’t been very successful. So what’s a banner against wandering minds and lustful thoughts? It’s got to be more than just pouring on more will power to not wander and not lust.
Ask and you will receive. Seek and you will find. Knock and it will be opened to you. For those who truly want to be mine all the time and come to me with their request… I will answer and my Spirit will be there with help in the time of need. There are some techniques that you can use but success in focus and staying worry free cannot be boiled down to a list of tips and techniques. But one that you will find valuable as I did when I walked as you do is to know that your mind cannot be void. All vacancies will fill with something. Especially if you have a habit, any habit, that takes you away, when a vacancy appears in your thinking … that other thing will fill the vacancy and your focus will wander away to that thing, rather than being with me and the best thing I would choose for you.
So one key is to recognize those decision points that happen before you choose a direction and choose to fill the void with what I have for you. If it’s not clear, fill it with something you choose, rather than what you default to. Then keep listening and I will lead you.
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