Be Concerned, But Don’t Worry – Plan What You Can For Future Events, With God’s Help

Word-Of-The-Day:  “Don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.  Today is sufficient in its own trouble.”  (Matthew 6:34)

There is a lot to be concerned about in our lives. Some are concerned about their health or financial situations (long-term or short-term), or in a broader scope things such as global peace or climate change. If we dwell on these things too long they turn to worry, which Jesus says is something we should not do.

On the flip side, we have those who think in terms of Jesus’ word to mean ‘live day-by-day’, never thinking of the future, and thus never planning for retirement, or engaging in unhealthy life styles or actions, and then wonder why the Lord has allowed them in their old age to financially struggle or suffer physical ailments caused by past indulgences. They wonder why Jesus’ words seem to be in contradiction to their current situation. (Note: If God’s Word seems to be contradicting to you, it is always due to you contradicting. or wanting to contradict, God’s Word.)

A lot of folks take this out of context, and use this to be frivolous with their paychecks, or continue unhealthy habits.  It is often used an excuse not to plan or prepare for future events (like saving for retirement, or putting back a little each pay for the next appliance dying).  We do need to, with prayer and study of our Bible, plan for such future events to preclude problems, using the ‘Five-P’ Principle – Prior Planning Precludes Poor Performance. 

In addition to the story of Joseph in Genesis planning for the 7-year famine, there are several verses regarding ‘the ‘Five-P’ Principle, with of course having God being part of the planning process:

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” (Proverbs 16:3)

“May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.” (Psalm 20:4)

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?” (Luke 14:28)

With the establishment that planning for future events is good, what is the purpose of Matthew 6:34?  There are things we cannot always prepare for.  There are things that some of us may be rightfully concerned about that we can’t always plan or predict; ‘is my child going to become a productive adult when he or she grows up?’, ‘is my elderly parent going to be OK?’, ‘am I going to get laid off?’. 

All these and infinitely more may be legitimate concerns, but often these concerns become worries even though they are out of our control.  You can plan and prepare for some things; college education funds for your children, assisted living for your parents. 

Other things you can’t; your parents decide to join a commune in Oregon, or your child decides to attend college to major in basket-weaving.  We worry about the ‘what ifs?’, but some are distant (‘what will I do if I get laid off next year?’), while some are closer at hand; ‘How will I pay my electric bill and rent, and get enough groceries for the week?’

This is what Matthew 6:34 is about.  You cannot worry about the ‘what ifs?’.  We can be concerned over them, however, and take action to prevent them, if at all possible. Concern about ‘what ifs?’ should lead to planning and preparation, but worrying about the ‘what ifs?’ leads to anxiety and fear. Matthew 6:34 tells us that if we trust Proverbs 16:3, Psalm 20:4 and Luke 14:28 and use the discernment of the Spirit to plan and prepare accordingly, then we should not worry.

We have to understand that things WILL happen that we cannot anticipate and plan for, and it is often those things that cause worry don’t happen.  No one said in 2019, ‘You know, I’m worried that a global pandemic is coming.’  Yet it happened, and today we have, for the most part, recovered from its effects, and with God we got through it.  Who knew that was on the bingo card of life?  God did.

We must understand that GOD IS IN CONTROL.  ‘Fear Not’ is a command the Lord gives in some variation 365 times in the Bible (depending on the translations).  This is one ‘Fear Not’ for each day of the year (this does not mean you should be fearful on 29 February every leap year).  With God’s help, using the ‘Five-P’ Principle neutralizes some of that fear, or worry when applied to a concern. 

Other things, have the Faith that God has made the plan for you, to give you hope and a future, as long as you include Him in it (Jeremiah 29:11-13).   Will I get ill tomorrow, or hit with an expense bill I can’t pay?  I don’t know, and if it happens, while don’t know the outcome, God does; and I have Faith that he’ll take care of me. 

I have Faith that God’s outcome is best for me.  You can’t change your past, you can anticipate and mitigate but can’t control the future. You need Faith to take care of things today and take care of the situations as they come in front of you, with God’s guidance.  Leave what will happen tomorrow in God’s hands.