在这些经文中，耶稣曾多次说：“不要忧虑”，或“不要焦虑”。而仅仅告诉焦虑的人停止焦虑很少会有帮助。有谁焦虑是自己选择的呢？那么，为什么耶稣会这样说呢？祂的话比简单地说“停止”要深刻地多，祂提醒我们，有些事是我们无法控制的，需要我们信靠神的看顾和供应。
我曾在生活中不得不反覆学习这一功课。我从未掌控过局面。然而我的人性极其渴望掌控。我不喜欢依赖他人。我常把倚靠神当作口头禅。我的不安驱使我渴望掌控，而意识到我不能掌控又加强了我的不安感——结果就是焦虑。
耶稣指出，神丰富地供应了天上的飞鸟和野地的花。神深切地关爱祂所有的造物。因此我们可以相信神一定会供应我们。
伴随神的供应而来的是祂奇妙的大能，这些使我们重新校准生命的焦点。我们若不晓得掌管一切的神爱我们，并且永远知道什么是对我们最好的，我们就不能克服焦虑。
父啊，帮助我们放下包袱，停止为明天忧虑。教导我们来信靠祢，知道祢会为了祢的荣耀，按着祢的旨意使万事互相效力成就善事。
马太福音 6:25-34
25 所以我告诉你们，不要为生命忧虑吃什么喝什么，为身体忧虑穿什么。生命不胜于饮食吗？身体不胜于衣裳吗？
26 你们看那天上的飞鸟，也不种也不收，也不积蓄在仓里，你们的天父尚且养活它，你们不比飞鸟贵重得多吗？
27 你们哪一个能用思虑使寿数多加一刻呢？
28 何必为衣裳忧虑呢？你想野地里的百合花怎么长起来，它也不劳苦，也不纺线，
29 然而我告诉你们：就是所罗门极荣华的时候，他所穿戴的还不如这花一朵呢！
30 你们这小信的人哪！野地里的草今天还在，明天就丢在炉里，神还给它这样的装饰，何况你们呢？
31 所以，不要忧虑说吃什么、喝什么、穿什么。
32 这都是外邦人所求的。你们需用的这一切东西，你们的天父是知道的。
33 你们要先求他的国和他的义，这些东西都要加给你们了。
34 所以，不要为明天忧虑，因为明天自有明天的忧虑。一天的难处一天当就够了。
We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. — Romans 8:28
Several times in these verses Jesus says, “Do not worry,” or “Do not be anxious.” Yet simply telling an anxious person to stop being anxious rarely helps. Does anyone who is anxious make the choice to be that way? Why, then, would Jesus say this? His words run much deeper than simply saying “Stop it.” He reminds us that there are things beyond our control that require us to trust in God’s care and provision.
I’ve had to learn this lesson repeatedly in life. I’ve never been in charge. Yet my humanness wants desperately to be in control. I don’t like being dependent on others. And I often give lip-service to my dependence on God. My insecurity drives my desire for control, and realizing that I’m not in control intensifies my insecurity—and the result is anxiety.
Jesus points out that God provides abundantly for the birds of the air and the flowers of the field. God cares deeply for all of his creation. So we can be confident that God will certainly provide for us.
And with God’s providence comes his amazing power to reset our focus in life. We cannot get past our anxiety without knowing that God, who is in control, also loves us and knows what is best for us—always.
Father, help us to let go of our worry and stop being anxious about tomorrow. Teach us to trust in you, knowing you will work all things for good, in line with your purpose and for your glory. Amen.
诵读: 楚云
片头: 张妙阳
