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PROGRAM D-8077

What is your greatest worry today? Worry is one of the most effective tools our enemy uses to steal our peace, is it not? I’m looking at a new way to fast—not just fasting from food for a time but fasting from other harmful things in our lives. My next suggestion is this: Fast from worries; instead, put your trust in God.

Jesus fully understood our propensity to worry, and he said the following:

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For. . . your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:25, 27, 31-34)

Jesus gave us three reasons not to worry.

  1. We should not worry because of who we are: God’s children. We are far more valuable than the birds, and God takes care of the birds. God has promised to supply our needs and take care of us—so don’t doubt his promise. Remember who you are!
  2. We should not worry simply because it does no good whatsoever. Worrying is totally worthless. It never produces any good results, but instead causes us to lose our peace, to lose our joy, and to waste our energy. Do you know how much energy it takes to worry? You are spending lots of emotional and mental energy when you’re in worry mode—and has it ever done you one bit of good? No, of course not!
  3. We should not worry because it harms our testimony as disciples of Jesus Christ. Isn’t it true that most of the people around you are worrying? Just think about the conversations you have with people, particularly people who are not yet believers in Jesus Christ. You’ll observe that they are worrying a lot. If those of us who are disciples of Jesus Christ worry just like everyone else, what kind of testimony is that?

 

This is a fast that will truly make a difference in your life: Determine, by God’s grace, to fast from worrying and learn to trust God more and more.