Whether your'e a calm person by nature or not, let's face it, life can be very stressfull. God understands our propensity to stress and worry. That's why He address anxiety so much in His Word. I encourage you to read over Luke 12. I call it the Worry chapter.
It's the chapter where Jesus talks about how much God cares for the birds and feeds them...of how the flowers are clothed finer than the greatest king in all his glory. And if God is concerned with birds and flowers, how much more will He provide for us? Earlier in this same chapter, God declares that the hairs on your head are numbered. Can you imagine keeping track of that?
He then says that worrying doesn't solve anything and not to be worried about all these things--that your Father in Heaven knows you need them. I actually think he's talking about much more than food and clothes.. he's talking about all those things of life that concern us; our kids, health, money, jobs, relationships etc..
Only aim at and strive for and seek His kingdom, and all these things shall be supplied to you also Luke 12:31
Then I came across this verse
Do not be seized with alarm and struck with fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom!
Wow, where did that come from? Here Jesus is talking about not worrying and putting God first.. and He makes this statement about the Father giving you the kingdom. What kingdom? And why would he mention this in context with worry. So, I got to thinking about it.
A kingdom is a realm or province governed by a king. The king takes care of his people. He makes decisions for their good, defends them, provides protection, gives them opportunities to work and produce, solves disputes and provides care they cannot. If the king is a good king, the people are happy and carefree. If not.. well, you just have to look at some of the past eartly kingdoms. Of course Jesus was talking about the Kingdom of God. In fact, He spoke often of the Kingdom of God. He said more than once that the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven is upon them. Literally, because of His presence and His sacrifice. Right now it is a Kingdom we can't see with our eyes. Some day (and soon!) it will be a physical Kingdom on Earth.
But back to my point. By the fact of our repentence and belief in Jesus, we have all become a part of this Kingdom. But here, Jesus is saying you've been given the Kingdom. God has given you a kingdom! Not just any Kingdom but His Kingdom on earth. When someone is given Kingdom, what do they do? They rule, right? Yes God is still the King but we are His rulers here on earth. In other words, we are all in government service.. some as abassadors, some are in the military (front lines of spiritual battle!), some teachers, some artists.. we rule through the gifts and talents and opportunities He has given us.
And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth Rev 5:10
So what does this have to do with worry? If we work for the all-powerful King of the Kingdom, we are under his protection. Not only that, we have access to the throne room to ask Him for whatever we need. Would a king allow his rulers to starve? Would a king allow his rulers to not have everything they need to rule? No! Otherwise he'd be a bad king. And we already know God can not be anything but good. Does that mean He'll give us everything we want? No. It does mean He'll give us everything we need. So why worry?
I think that's what Jesus was trying to get across. You can almost hear the frustration in His voice. Why are you worried, little flock?!!!! Seek God. Be loyal to the King, and He will take care of you.
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