“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” — Matthew 6:25 (NKJV)

Does worrying ever help? Why does Jesus tell us not to worry? How can we be happy despite the trials we face day-in and day-out?

Here’s a little song I wrote:
You might want to sing it note for note:
Don’t worry, be happy

In every life we have some trouble
When you worry you make it double
Don’t worry, be happy

Ain’t got no place to lay your head
Somebody came and took your bed
Don’t worry, be happy

The landlord say your rent is late
He may have to litigate
Don’t worry, be happy…

You may remember these lyrics from the popular Grammy-award-winning song, Don’t Worry Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin. This song is soft and funny, but it illustrates a little of what Jesus was trying to bring across in Matthew 6:25. We are told not to worry about our life, what we will eat or drink, nor about our body or what we put on. Life is more than food and the body is more than clothing.

Jesus goes on in other passages to point out that He knows that we have needs. He explains His care for us through the example of how He provides for the lilies and birds of the Earth. They don’t work, yet our Heavenly Father loves, provides, and takes care of them. How much more would He provide for us, His own children who are created in His image and in His likeness? In a sense, Jesus was trying to get across to us that we ought not to worry because we are blessed. If you break down the word “blessed” to a literal meaning, you will find that it also means happy. Happiness is an emotional state marked by feelings of enjoyment and satisfaction based on the recognition of our good fortune. This being said, I would like to rename our devotional for today: Don’t Worry Be Blessed.

I know, you are currently facing many difficulties. Your business may be closed, or income may be down. You may be worried because you are not sure when you will open it back up, or if you have enough cash to make it. Why should you not worry? And why should you be happy? But does worrying about the situation ever help?

When you worry about something it actually makes it worse. Not only does it leave your situation stagnant, but it also disarms your ability to resolve what is happening. Worrying puts you on the defensive and demonstrates a lack of faith in God. Jesus calls our attention to this by saying, “Worrying does not add one cubit to your stature.”

Worrying gives greater power to the situation than it deserves, demonstrates a lack of faith in God, and is a violation of the first commandment: thou shall not have any other gods before me. When you worry, you are turning the object of your worry into a god. Worrying is like a cancer that slowly destroys all of your immune system. So don’t worry, be happy! Yes, even in the midst of trials, tests, persecution, difficulties, financial trouble, be happy. James, the brother of Jesus stated it this way, “Count it all joy when you face various trials…”

That is right, look at the problem in the face and begin to smile and express your excitement because whatever you are currently facing, God is working it together for the good. You may ask, “Why should I be happy when I should be crying?” I am here to tell you whatever you are facing right now is good for you.

Here are the benefits of troubles and trials:

It shapes your character
It cultivates your patience
It brings you closer to God
It enhances your prayer life
It strengthens your faith
It perfects you where you are weak
It causes you to be grateful

Without trouble, many of these benefits can not be achieved, and if they are, you will never know that you have achieved them. So go ahead be happy, because whatever you are going through, God is working it all together. He is using your situation to cultivate in you great virtues that are essential for life and godliness. You can now understand why Bobby McFerrin’s song is appropriate for us as believers. It reminds us that in the midst of difficult situations, we remain blessed. So whatever you are facing, don’t worry, be happy.

My prayer for you today is that God will give you the grace to transform your worry into joy so you can experience the blessings during troubled times.

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