Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life
Easier said than done. But it is important. It isn't just a nice option so that we feel better and have more comfort. Jesus is concerned that when we worry we ultimately "serve two masters." Our worry has the potential to compromise our ability to wholeheartedly serve God. We've got to figure this out.
We can have peace but it is not because we ourselves are strong. Even Paul experiences weakness, suffering, and "a thorn in the flesh". Yet he is not compromised by any of this. It never becomes a worry which distracts him from his wholehearted service of God. Indeed, it becomes part of that service, a part of his boast.
Worrying isn't strategy or planning. It never helps. It merely distracts and burdens. It cannot add a single moment to our lives. It is the vague and ambiguous fear that we have when we don't fully place our lives in the hands of God. We need to realize how much he loves us. When we know that we are more valuable to him than the flowers and the birds fear will have no place in us. Even all the beauty of the natural world is not as important to him as we are. He knows our needs. We don't need to have a vague fear that we forgot something undefined because of which everything will fall apart. Our lives are in the Father's hands. We do plan responsibly, but we do not worry.
This is not peace like the world gives peace because the world does not in fact give peace. On our own we are left to manage every variable known and unknown. So no wonder we worry! This is peace that only God can give when we finally surrender of lives into his hands.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (cf. Joh. 14:27).
We experience that nothing is lacking when we fear the LORD. We experience his angels encamping around us to guard us. What have we to fear? Are we at peace right now? We are meant to be!
Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
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