by Jennifer Kennedy Dean

The kingdom of God runs a different operating system than the kingdom of the world. Everything is flip-flopped. Turned on its head. We see this clearly in Jesus’ instruction concerning what to do about anxiety and worry. The world’s operating system runs a program that gives worry the power to poison your life and make you its captive, but Jesus addresses worry this way: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33, NIV).

Is anxiety leaching the joy from your life? Then let Jesus’ promise infuse you with hope and comfort.

His words come on the heels of an animated teaching about God’s provision. Jesus wants His followers to understand how carefully the Father watches over them, aware of their every need.  Imagine Jesus, out in the open, surrounded by His disciples and crowds of eager listeners. He sees a bird in flight. Sweeping His arm skyward, He says, “Look at the birds of the air!” He glances at the ground and sees one of the hardy lilies indigenous to the region. Pointing at one, or perhaps plucking it and holding it up for all to see, He says, “Observe the lilies!” He wants to frame a picture in our minds that will focus our hearts on the Father, and take our eyes off our worries.

When the prism through which we view our need is the love and power of the Father, our view of our need is transformed. Our needs become the platform for His power. His entry point, His opening into our lives. He created you with needs. By His design, you require food and water and clothing and shelter. He knows you need all these things.

What to do when need looms large and anxiety takes you captive? Seek His kingdom and His righteousness. All the energy that would go to fear and worry—turn it toward the kingdom. Let the King rule in your situation, and put your attention on worshipping and serving Him. Let Him use the situation that could distract you from Him to instead draw you to Him. Let your anxious heart come to rest in the promise: “all these things will be given to you.”

 “Prayer . . . is the opening of a channel from my emptiness into His fullness.”—E. Stanley Jones, Abundant Living, missionary and preacher (1884–1973)

Father, thank You for providing for my every need. Thank You that I don’t have to spend my days consumed with worry and can be consumed with You instead. No need enters my life for which You have not already planned and provided. I choose to keep anxiety from cluttering my heart, and instead let my heart be filled by You.

Jennifer Kennedy Dean is executive director of the Praying Life Foundation. Among her latest releases are Live a Praying Life!, Life Unhindered!, and Set Apart.

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Scripture quotations marked NIV are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.