Matthew 6:25-34 (NLT)
“That is why 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 to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
“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 wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of Godabove 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. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Worry is like a cancer that eats away at life. (And for some us, it literally comes in the form of ulcers, chomping their way through our stomach lining and making life miserable). One of the most common discussions around the shelter deals with this issue. I’m often deluged with questions such as: What am I going to do when I get out? Where will I live? Where will I work? How can I make this trip to rehab really work?
These are just a few; I could go on for pages. These questions, along with the unbalanced emotions and lingering withdrawal symptoms, usually cause such a burden in the guys until they’re ready to crumble or duck and run. And all before they even truly start down the path of recovery.
Michael, a thoughtful crack addict from northeast Mississippi, was one such example of the dangers of worrying about tomorrow and not living one day at a time. Despite the overwhelming spiritual growth within, he began to worry about a court case that was scheduled to happen before his 90 days at the Arms of Mercy ended. It weighed heavy on his mind for weeks before he started dropping subtle, then clear, hints that he would be departing. He approached both Major and I to talk about it and left downcast because of what we had to say, “Trust God. Don’t worry about it. It will work out. We’ve had stuff like that happen before, and the judge, seeing how good they’re doing, will postpone the trial or allow them to come back to the shelter afterwards.” Again, not what he wanted to hear. So much so that he went up stairs, packed his belongings, and walked down to the gas station to use the phone.
Another hope-filled recovery thrown away. All because of worrying about something that may or may not even happen.
Discussion Questions:
1. Why is worry one of the greatest causes of relapse in recovery?
2. What causes you to worry? Why?
3. Reread verse 27. What does Christ’s statement mean to you?
4. What constructive things can you do TODAY to avoid worrying?
