WORRY VS. CONCERN

Whenever someone asks me, “are you worried?” I usually say instead, “I’m not necessarily worried, I’m just concerned.” But some people would ask, “aren’t those pretty much the same?” Not necessarily.

The passage we’ll be looking at is Luke 12:22-34 which is about worry. Jesus was heading back to Jerusalem where the culmination of His ministry would be so he was multitasking here. While traveling toward Jerusalem, he continued his ministry among the people.

1. Worry reveals our self-reliance. Our concerns lead us to reliance on God. (vv.22-24) Did you know that ravens are considered as unclean animals in Jewish beliefs and the least respected of birds. Yet God cares for them. How much more for you?
2. Worry wastes time. Concerns make you productive. (vv. 25-26)
When we worry, nothing is accomplished except for all the negative things like heart problems and panic. It immobilizes you. But concern leads us to action. Choose to just give your concerns to God.
3. Worry shows discontentment. Our concerns lead to contentment. (vv. 27-28)
People worry about how they look. In the Bible, clothes would tell a lot about who people were. If someone was a Jew or a Gentile, of high stature or a commoner, and if they are mourning too. And even today we put so much effort on how we present ourselves.
Cross reference - Philippians 4:6
4. Worry makes us submit to circumstances. Our concerns make us submit to God who is in charge of our circumstances. (vv. 29-32)
Jesus says not to be afraid. We don’t hold our future, God does. We can rest in Him.
Cross references - 1 Peter 5:7;Luke 12:7; Jeremiah 1:5
5. Worry causes us to hoard. Our concerns cause us to give. (vv. 33-34)
One of the things the early church did was to share everything they had with each other as anyone had need. The money that we have isn’t ours. We are just stewards of it.
Cross reference - Acts 2:44-45; 1 Chronicles 29:12

Question of the day: Which one of these 5 points hit you the most? Type on the comments section below.

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES:
Billy Graham's My answer: Worry https://billygraham.org/story/billy-grahams-my-answer-worry/
Faith, not fear https://www.growingchristians.org/devotions/faith-not-fear/

BOOKS:
1. Joshua - Women's Bible Study Participant Workbook: Winning the Worry Battle https://amzn.to/3x7dzTt
2. Gospel Hope for Anxious Hearts: Trading Fear and Worry for the Peace of God (Rich Theology Made Accessible) Charles Spurgeon https://amzn.to/3cqzCLj
3. Anxious for Nothing: God's Cure for the Cares of Your Soul (John Macarthur Study) https://amzn.to/3nslwPQ
4. Found: God's Peace: Experience True Freedom from Anxiety in Every Circumstance https://amzn.to/3HyWO8q

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