The "what ifs" of life take control, and worry becomes a reality for all of us. We know we shouldn’t; we know it’s wrong; but we do it anyway. We know about the effects of worry: It causes ulcers, high blood pressure, heart problems, drains energy, and even puts us in a bad mood. Did you know that the average American is in a bad mood 110 days per year? That means about 30 percent of the time, the person sitting next to you will be in a bad mood because of stuff like worry and stress.

What I find amazing about the topic of worry is that it’s not a twenty-first century problem. It was an issue in Jesus day as well. Let me set the context as Jesus addresses worry. Last week Jesus told us to use our treasures—our stuff—to impact God’s Kingdom. Rather than holding on to…relying on…or defining ourselves by our money and stuff, we are to invest and leverage our stuff for God. That’s radical. That’s a lifestyle changer, isn’t it?

So what’s your natural response to Jesus’ words? Worry. I won’t have enough money. What about retirement? What about my comforts? What about my lifestyle? My status? My bills? My entertainment? What will happen to me if I take what I have and leverage it for God?

Jesus knew His audience and that our natural response would be to worry. So He addresses worry and commands us at least three times not to worry. In Matthew 6:25, He says, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life…" Literally, Jesus commands his listeners to "Stop worrying and don’t do it again." This word Jesus uses for "worry" comes from two words: mind and divide. Worry means to divide the mind. Worry shatters us emotionally, spiritually, and physically. It tugs at our decision-making and creates all kinds of confusion and uncertainty.

So Jesus tells us how we can eliminate worry once and for all with four practical steps. 1. Decide not to worry. I know this sounds extremely childish or elementary, but at least three times Jesus commands us in these verses not to worry. The very nature of a command implies that we have a choice. Jesus says, "Stop worrying right now, and here’s some reasons why."

• Worry is irrelevant. Matthew 6:25 says, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?" We spend so much time worrying about our stuff such as clothes, food, health, money; that we tend to ignore things and people that have more eternal significance. We get so wrapped up in our circumstances that worry takes over our lives and we miss the important things in life that need our attention.

• Worry is irresponsible. Matthew 6:27 says, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" Worrying doesn’t make life longer but shorter. Worry drains our time and energy so that we don’t have the power we need to be constructive and creative in our problem solving. Worry wears us out and weighs us down so much that we can’t focus on how to overcome difficult situations in our lives. When we realize worry is irrelevant and irresponsible, it’s easier to make the decision to say no to worry.

• Worry is also irreverent. It’s ungodly. Jesus has just compared the way God cares for and clothes flowers and grasses. Then He says in Matthew 6:30, "If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?" Worry is another way of saying, "I don’t trust you, God, to meet my needs. I’m not counting on you. You’re not in control of my situation. You’re helpless. I’m on my own." Worry is a lack of faith or trust in God.

Jesus said, stop worrying by deciding or choosing not to worry because it’s irrelevant, irresponsible, and irreverent. It does an enormous amount of harm. The second step to eliminating worry is to 2. Trust God to take care of you. As Jesus mentioned earlier, "O you of little faith"—worry is rooted in a lack of faith or trust. Matthew 6:31-32 tells us, "So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them."

A pig farmer was feeding his pigs when a little oinker came up and began chewing on his shoe. The farmer picked up the cute little pig and began to pet it. Soon the little pig wanted down, but the farmer kept on petting him. About that time the little pig let out a squeal like the farmer had never heard. In about two seconds, 30 mama pigs weighing 5 to 600 pounds each headed his way. He dropped the little pig and ran, barely getting over the fence. All the mama pigs stood there snorting at him, daring him to come back over the fence and mess with one of their kids.

The farmer didn’t intimidate that little pig. Why? Because the little pig was just one squeal away from being rescued. Here’s the point. If a pig is so sensitive to the cry of its own, how much more sensitive is our Heavenly Father to the cry of His own? We are just one squeal away from God’s help, protection and resources.

Former Tennessee Titans center Kevin Long, who played his college football under Coach Bobby Bowden at Florida State University, said his college coach inspired the team with stories. Long recounted a favorite story: [Bowden] was playing college baseball, and he had never hit a home run. Finally he hit one down the right-field line, into the corner. He rounds first and looks to the third base coach. He turned at second, was halfway to third and the coach was still waving him on to home.

Bobby made his first home run. He was so excited and everybody was high-fiving him. Then the pitcher took the ball, threw to the first baseman, and the umpire called Bobby out. [Coach Bowden] said, "If you don't take care of first base, it doesn't matter what you do. If you don't honor the Lord first, it doesn't matter what else you do."

Jesus demands that He be your first priority. And when you put Him there, it changes your focus and thinking and gets rid of those overwhelming worries that have no place in your life. Give Him first place in your life. Take time for Him each day. Pray. Read your Bible. Join a small group. Attend Sunday regularly. If you have never placed your trust in Him as your Savior, do that today.

I’m all for planning for the future and setting goals, but we shouldn’t worry about the future. We must focus our attention on the present, and take care of today’s problems today. We must live today in such a way to honor God and keep Him first in our lives.