Don't Worry

 

  

Trust in God's Provision: A Summary of Don't Worry by David Powlison
David Powlison’s article, "Don’t Worry", explores Jesus' teaching from Luke 12:22-34, where Christ instructs His followers not to be anxious about their daily needs. Through the lens of this passage, Powlison offers a practical and spiritual guide for Christians on dealing with worry and anxiety, particularly about material concerns. Below is a summary and reflection on his key points.

Jesus' Teaching on Anxiety
Jesus uses simple, everyday examples to encourage His disciples to trust in God's provision. He tells them not to worry about food, drink, or clothing because life is much more than these necessities. Jesus points to nature — the ravens and the lilies — to illustrate that God faithfully provides for all creation, and if He takes care of these, He will surely care for His people who are created in His image.

The Root of Anxiety: Misplaced Focus
Powlison explains that worry often stems from misplaced trust or obsession with material things, such as money or health. He describes how Jesus addresses this mindset, emphasizing that a person’s worth is not based on what they possess. This insight reminds believers that God’s kingdom and righteousness should be their primary focus.

Worry's Futility
One of Jesus’ crucial statements is that worrying cannot add even an hour to one’s life. Powlison highlights that anxiety is not only futile but also a sign of distrust in God’s ability to control the uncontrollable. Worry, in essence, creates an illusion of control over things we cannot truly manage, leading to further anxiety.

Jesus Offers Better Reasons Not to Worry
Powlison explains that Jesus doesn’t simply tell us not to worry but provides several reasons why we shouldn’t:

1. Life is more than material needs: Our purpose extends beyond what we eat, drink, or wear.
2. God values us more than birds and flowers: If He cares for them, He will surely care for us.
3. Worry accomplishes nothing: It adds nothing to our lives.
4. God will clothe us with more than just physical garments: He promises to adorn us in glory, making us more beautiful than the lilies of the field.
5. The world worries, but believers have God’s promise: Unlike the nations who chase material things, Christians have a heavenly Father who knows their needs.
6. God promises the kingdom: The ultimate security is found in God’s kingdom, not in earthly provisions.

Conclusion: Seek God's Kingdom
The culmination of Jesus' teaching is a call to seek God's kingdom first. When we prioritize the eternal over the temporal, we experience freedom from worry. Powlison ends the article by encouraging believers to trust in God’s faithfulness, to relinquish the need for control, and to focus on giving rather than getting.

In sum, Don’t Worry reminds us that anxiety, while a common human experience, has no place in the life of a believer who trusts in God's provision. Through practical examples and deep biblical insights, Powlison shows us how faith in God’s care can dispel worry and lead to a life of peace and generosity.

This article is based on "Don't Worry" by David Powlison, initially published in The Journal of Biblical Counseling (Winter 2003). For more on biblical counseling, please visit the Association of Certified Biblical Counsellors (ACBC) at their website.  Vol. 21. No 2. of the Journal of Biblical Counseling is available here.