'God May Be Kind, But I'm Worried': Matthew 6:25-34 (Kindness)

Read Galatians 5:22-23:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Are you ready to make an investment in the Fruit of Kindness?

How much of your life do you spend worrying about such things as money, your health, your future, your children, what other people think of you, what you think of yourself, etc.?

Read Matthew 6:25-34:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Select 'Successful' when you are finished.

Considering the time you spend worrying, what is your first reaction to these verses?

Write your response in the space provided.

Go to 'DOCUMENTS' and read Oswald Chambers' comments of Matthew 6:25-34.

Select 'Successful' when you are finished.

Oswald states:

"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..."

Describe how this 'steady invasion' is currently playing out in your immediate circumstances. Be specific.

Oswald continues:

“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.”

How frequently do you experience your common sense shouting against the words of Jesus to 'not worry about your life'?

Oswald adds:

"Beware of allowing yourself to think that He says this while not understanding your circumstances. Jesus Christ knows our circumstances better than we do..."

How confident are you that Jesus knows your circumstances better than you do?

Oswald comments:

"...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."

Regarding the 'competing concerns in your life', Is there anything you would like to repent of (express your sorrow)?

If so, you can do so privately or in the space provided.

Oswald concludes:

“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)."

Take a moment to recount the 'much more' of God.

In the past, how has He come through for you?

Even when you doubted Him, how has He exceeded your expectations?

Write your answers in the space provided.

Is there anything you would like to thank God for?

If so, you can do so privately or in the space provided.

Pray

Get quiet and ask God to instruct you regarding the verses you read in Matthew 6.

Ask Him what He has to tell you about your worrying.

You can write down what you receive in the space provided

As it relates to worrying, what did you learn about God's kindness?

How much has this task increased His fruit of Kindness in your present disposition?