Reframing Your Life With God's PerspectiveSample

The Antidote for Worry: The Present View

If you go to Matthew 6, you will find three words that leap off the page or screen. (This may have to do with the fact that in my Bible, the words are set apart in a different font.) The words are Do not worry.

It’s the one piece of advice none of us keep. Especially when our eyes are off the present, and we are focused on what might be ahead. It is helpful to note that throughout the Bible, God calls himself “I Am,” which gives us a clue that God dwells in the present.

Because God exists outside time, we always experience him in the now. So when we are focusing on the future or the past, we are removing ourselves mentally from where God is. With this in mind, Jesus tells us in Matthew 6 not to dwell on what’s ahead. When he encourages us not to worry about tomorrow “for tomorrow will worry about itself”, Jesus is nudging us to stay in the present. In the verses that follow, he points out the evidence all around us that God will take care of our needs, and he encourages us to look at what is directly in front of us rather than focusing on something we cannot see.

If I were to paraphrase his words in Matthew 6:25-34, they might read:

Look at the birds, and contemplate how God cares for them (v. 26).

See how the flowers are dressed, and marvel at their wardrobe (vv. 28-29).

Learn from the sustaining force of nature how God holds you in the palm of his hand (v. 30).

Focus on what you can do, not what you can’t do, and life will unfold exactly as it should (v. 33).

Stay in the present with the great I am (v. 34)

and don’t worry; be happy (Bobby McFerrin).

Maybe the simple lyrics to that iconic song were wiser than we thought. Living them is our lifelong challenge. The present view lens can certainly help.

From When Changing Nothing Changes Everything by Laurie Polich Short.