22  Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.

23  Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.

24  Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!

25  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his Life] ?

26  Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

27  "Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

28  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!

29  And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.

30  For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.

31  But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

32  "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

33  Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.

34  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

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Worry infects all members of society.  In today's turbulent culture, people worry about their health, their wealth, their jobs, their families and their futures.  Jesus understood our tendency to worry.  That's why he addressed the issue head on.  The Lord not only commanded us not to worry, he told us why we shouldn't.  Consider the following points:

Worry ignores God's faithfulness (vv. 22 -- 24).  If God feeds the birds and clothes the flowers, doesn't it make sense that he'll provide for us?

Worry ignores its own limitations (vv. 25 __ 26).  Has anything ever changed for the better because we worried about it?  Of course not! Yet we worry as though the mere act of worrying will somehow make a difference.

Worry ignores God's love (vv. 27 -- 31).  Unbelievers, like fatherless orphans, worry about the future.  But God's children don't need to worry.  The God who gives life also cares for his own.

Worry ignores the present (v. 32).  When we worry about the future, we miss out on the blessings of today.

The next time you find yourself worrying, turn to this passage.  If you're still anxious after reading it, then ask yourself which of these four things you're ignoring.  Consider how different your perspective might be if you didn't ignore them.