The Treasure of Worry

 

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.  For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.  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! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life^[? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Luke 12:22-26 (NIV)

What? Why would you treasure worry you may ask. And with good reason. I have to make a confession. Too often, the treasure of worry is what I hold in my heart. 

Treasure is my ‘word’ this year. It came to me as I was finishing up a women’s retreat that I had coordinated. Considering whether or not I would do it again next year, I asked the Lord to make it clear to me what I should do. 

He did. As clear as day, the verse, Luke 12:34 flooded my heart. “Where your treasure is there will your heart be also.” I looked out at the women, ages 15 to 90, and realized I was observing treasures visible here on earth and treasures that I am “laying up for myself in heaven.” I want to be making eternal investments that cannot be stolen, destroyed or eaten by vermin. 

Fast forward a few months. I received a writing prompt to describe the word treasure. Easy, I thought, I have this one down pat. I started to quote the verse that had flooded my heart back in the fall. I may have even been a little proud that I could answer with confidence what treasure meant to me. It was not wealth, success, or fame. It was what was in my heart. 

In a split second, the question came to mind, “what is really in there, Keri?” As I examined my heart, I realized that I had allowed worry to make its way on to the throne of my heart. Oh, and I have a BIG capacity for worry!

As I go about life and ministry, I tend to pick up heavy stones along the way and add them to my knapsack. I carry them around like a badge of honor. See how strong I am?  I need to worry about my parents, my kids, my granddaughter, my husband, my car, my home, and the list continues. 

Stop it! Sometimes we just need to hear those words. “Stop it.” 

“Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?” Luke 12:25-26

As many times as I have read the passages in Matthew 6 and Luke 12 about treasure and worry, it never really occurred to me that they are in the same passage. Mmm, I think that may be by design. If we are worrying about earthly things, our eyes are not on our Heavenly Father who lavishes us with good. (Psalms 103) 

Of course, we are given direction for caring for our families and making wise decisions. But worrying about those things will not bring about success. Worry weighs us down like a backpack full of rocks. Unless, you are a geologist, that is a waste of time and energy… and brain space. 

We can release the worry when we realize that God loves us and cares about our children, our parents and our well being far more than is possible for us to do. 

He tells us, “Don’t worry about anything, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done.” Philippians 4:6  God is not on the same timeline as us. We can thank Him in advance for all He is going to do. And then we can believe that He will fulfill His promises found in Scripture:

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5b

“My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

“Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” Ephesians 3:17-19

What is the treasures you are storing up in your heart? Are you, like me, just collecting worries and burdens that weigh you down? I encourage you to surrender every single worry to Jesus. Ask Him for wisdom. Believe He will give it to you generously. 

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for all you have provided. Please help me to daily surrender my cares to you and trust that you love me and those I worry about more than I can comprehend. In Your Name, Amen.