A Dangerous Environment

Read: Matthew 6:24-34

Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Matthew 6:27

IN WORD

In many ways, the Kingdom culture is countercultural—a revolution against the ways of the world. But it’s also a revolution against the ways of our own inner nature, our fallenness and habits and misperceptions. One of the greatest misperceptions we have is that we have to look out for ourselves. That deep, almost imperceptible belief breeds worries and fears, multiplying them with each new threat we perceive, whether real or not. In fact, many of us lie awake at night wondering what can go wrong and planning for adversity we will never actually have to deal with. We live in an inner environment of danger and fear.

If that seems overstated, consider the things that make you anxious and ask yourself how many of them actually come true. Some do, to be sure, but most don’t. We are masters at planning for contingencies, hoping to keep ourselves safe from every possible threat. But most of those threats are empty, and even if they weren’t, we have to come to terms with one inarguable fact: The King we have chosen to serve has promised that He is looking out for our best interests. He is willing and able to deal with every threat that comes against us. When we worry, we are making a profound statement that we don’t trust Him to do that. We know He lets people experience hardship, and we don’t want that. So we reject the story line He has offered and embrace the story lines in our own minds. And those story lines are filled with all kinds of worries.

IN DEED

Rise up against that inner environment of fear. Overthrow it. Do whatever you can to expose its lies and undermine its power. It is not giving you a picture of truth but rather a picture of life outside the King’s protection. It is filling you with images beyond the realm of the Kingdom. Instead, envision the King’s promise. See it play out in your life. Step into it daily. Whatever story He is writing for your life—even if it is difficult—is very, very good.

ADDITIONAL READING: Philippians 4:6-7

The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.

GEORGE MÜLLER