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Have you discovered that worrying is a healthy way to deal with the future? Yah, me neither. Jesus has something better in mind. In this episode of the Things Above podcast, James Bryan Smith tells us that worrying does nothing positive for us. However, it does come with several negative consequences. Jesus teaches us that worrying is something we can live without. In Matthew 6:27, Jesus asks, “And can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” Jim goes on to wonder, Can any one of you by worrying…
…make your child’s life better?
…solve your financial problems?
…take away an illness?
…solve the fallout with a friend?
…meet your goals at work?

Here’s the thing: Worrying does nothing positive, but it does a lot of bad for us. Worry adversely affects our mental and physical health. So why do we worry? Maybe it’s because worry is superstition and we don’t even know it. The definition of superstition is “a widely held but unjustified belief in supernatural causation leading to certain consequences of an action or event, or a practice based on such a belief.” Black cats, rabbit feet, mirrors and ladders are things we connect to superstition. Superstition and, more importantly, worry has to do with control. We trick ourselves into thinking that our behavior gives us power and control. When we make the mistake of thinking we have all the power and control, we consequently take God out of the equation.

So what is the antidote to worry? It’s the realization that (1) worry doesn’t do anything and (2) we live in the strong and unshakable kingdom of God. When we understand that God is out for our good, then we don’t need to worry. Now, this doesn’t mean we can live recklessly or assume that our life will be free of problems. But God is always with us and has the power to bring joy out of sorrow. We can trust and entrust our lives with God. Do not worry. Key verses include Matthew 6:25-34; John 10:10; Romans 8:28.

Related episodes:
1. Second Birth
2. Guilt versus Shame
3. Blessed
4. Identity
5. Jesus is Praying for You