“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the sky, that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather crops into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more important than they? And which of you by worrying can add a single day to his life’s span? And why are you worried about clothing? Notice how the lilies of the field grow; they do not labor nor do they spin thread for cloth, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Jesus gently but firmly addresses one of the most universal human struggles—worry. Anxiety often grows out of the belief that we must carry life on our own shoulders. Jesus redirects our eyes to the Father’s faithful care.
He invites us to look at the birds: they never plant or harvest, yet God sustains them each day. He points us to the flowers: they do not work or weave, yet they are clothed in beauty beyond Solomon’s finest robes.
If God cares this beautifully for creation, how much more does He care for you?
Worry, Jesus says, accomplishes nothing. Not even a single hour can be added to your life through anxious striving. Instead, He calls us to a different way—to seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness, trusting that everything else we need will be provided.
This passage is not about ignoring real needs; it’s about learning who truly carries them. Jesus is teaching us to live with a heart anchored in the Father’s love rather than in fear of the unknown.
Why It Matters
Anxiety has a way of shrinking our world. It narrows our vision, steals our joy, and distracts us from the work of the kingdom. Jesus offers freedom—not by promising a life without difficulty, but by revealing the heart of the Father.
This matters because:
- Worry undermines trust. When we worry, we’re often assuming that our future is uncertain because God may not come through. Jesus corrects this by reminding us of the Father’s unchanging faithfulness.
- Worry divides our attention. Anxiety scatters energy toward imagined futures instead of present obedience. Jesus calls us back to today, promising grace for each moment.
- Worry misplaces our priorities. When life feels unstable, our instinct is to cling to what we can “control.” Jesus redirects us: Seek first God’s kingdom, not your own comfort or security.
- Worry is defeated by worship. As we seek God’s kingdom—pursuing His presence, His righteousness, His purposes—our hearts become anchored. Anxiety loses its grip as trust grows.
Jesus is not dismissing our challenges; He is inviting us into a life where the Father holds every detail with perfect care.
A Prayer for Today
Father, teach me to trust You with my whole heart. Calm my anxious thoughts and help me see the world through the lens of Your care. Give me strength to seek Your kingdom first and confidence to believe that You will provide everything I need. Help me rest in Your love today. Amen.
Questions to Guide Your Reflection
- What concerns most easily steal your peace or distract you from God’s presence?
- How does remembering God’s care for creation help you trust Him with your needs?
- What might it look like for you to “seek first the kingdom” today?
- Is there a specific worry God is inviting you to surrender to Him right now?
Jesus Home Ministries 