Worry can damage our health, disrupt our work, affect the way we treat others, and lessen our peace with God. Jesus knows we tend to worry, so he tells us in Matthew CH.6, “I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable than they are? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for the wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? … Seek the Kingdom and God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will bring its own worries.” The difference between worry and concern is this: worry stops us cold, but concern moves us to act.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
