Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
As I sat at my prayer table, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for my Father God. You see He brought me through a huge battle over cancer. I developed stage 2 Melanoma skin cancer and had to have it removed. There were tests, pre-op appointments, needles, machines, and more needles. Then the big day… the surgery. They had to take out a 4” long by 2 ½” wide area on my chest as well as remove lymph nodes under by left armpit which was about a 3” by 1” area. To top it off I also had a small walnut size lump on the other side of my chest that they wanted to take out as well. I have been a lead pastor for 30+ years, preached as a revivalist at prophetic conferences and churches and have faced many types of battles. However, this battle was the biggest to date. I couldn’t help expressing my love, gratitude and appreciation for God who got me through this nightmare. It was certainly a roller coaster ride and I do not like roller coasters. Today, I am cancer free. The doctors said “the cancer was fully removed and there was no cancer in the biopsies of the lymph nodes and lump as well. God brought me through again.
I did go through ups and downs from worship to worry and from faith to fear. As I reflect on this experience, I have become insightfully aware of my own trust issues. One day I believed God and the next I had moments of doubt. As I sat there at my prayer table, the Holy Spirit dropped a few words into my mind. I literally saw, in the spirit, the words “expectation can lead to worry and depression.” As I thought about this phrase, I felt God led me to Matthew 6. Here Jesus said we are not to worry about tomorrow as tomorrow will have its own troubles.
Worry, and even depression, come from “expectations” that we set. We can expect a certain “good” outcome and end up worrying and stressing that it will all take place exactly how we envision it to happen. We can also expect a “bad” outcome and end up worrying that the worst will happen. Either way, we are worrying. The only way to combat worry, and even depression, is to “leave the outcome to God.” This means trust God that His intensions for us are always good. In the spiritual realm we do not fully see the battles “behind the scenes” that are taking place. One thing is very clear in Matthew 6… we are more valuable that the birds and grass and God will take care of us. Please listen with your spirit… God is working everything together for our good, but how God brings about a good outcome may not be the way we are expecting Him too. Remember, some answers can be delayed due to the unseen realm where principalities and rulers of darkness are fighting against us. As we wait on God to do a miracle it is important to believe God for a good outcome but always allow God to do it His way and in His timing. Jesus said clearly that we should not worry about tomorrow because “we do not know what tomorrow will bring.” Jesus also assures us that God will take care of us.
Are you facing a battle? A crisis? Or something too great for you? If you are put your trust in God and leave the outcome to Him. He will come through for you. Maybe not exactly the way you want it but he will come through. I heard the Holy Spirit say to me today “the best is yet to come.”
Matthew 6:34 (NKJV)
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Matthew 6:25 (NKJV)
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?”
Matthew 6:27 (NKJV)
“Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?”
Luke 12:22 (NKJV)
“Then He said to His disciples, ‘Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on.’”
Luke 12:25–26 (NKJV)
“And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest?”
Philippians 4:6–7 (NKJV)
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV)
“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
Psalm 55:22 (NKJV)
“Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.”
Proverbs 12:25 (NKJV)
“Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.”
John 14:27 (NKJV)
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Devotional Reflection Questions
- What outcome am I currently holding onto that God may be asking me to fully surrender to Him?
- In what ways have my expectations fueled worry instead of faith during this season?
- How can I intentionally trust God with tomorrow while choosing peace and obedience today?
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