“The sky is falling! The sky is falling!” Those famous words of a make-believe chicken that was a notorious worrier provide incredible lessons for these times we are in.

The reality is, we are all prone to worry. During this time some are worried that things will never be the same again, while others are worried that things will go back to the same as before without any changes. Even if the current times don’t have you worried there’s something you’re worried about. It could be your 401k. Maybe it’s your children’s college fund. Perhaps you’re worried about deeper things, like the salvation of your spouse, parents, children, siblings, etc. Whatever the case is, we’re all worried about something.

This is the reason that Jesus’ command in Matthew 6 hits us like a ton of bricks…or an acorn from the sky, as it were.

Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:31-33

These are remarkably familiar verses to most believers. We need to understand that Jesus isn’t limiting the prohibition of worry to just the three categories He used. It’s not just what we’re going to eat, drink or wear; it’s also what will the future look like? Will I have enough money in the bank when it comes time to retire? How will my children turn out? What does the future hold? Jesus tells us not to worry about these things. Why?

Typically, the things that incite worry in us are things we cannot control. We have no control over how our children turn out, or what the stock market will do to our retirement accounts. The most heart-wrenching thing that Jesus said in this passage is that it is the Gentiles, pagans, non-believers, that run after these things. Worry is not the posture of believers.

The lesson on worry that stands out to me from the story of Chicken Little is how easily worry can spread. It’s as contagious as Coronavirus. Henny Penny, Loosey Goosey and Turkey Lurkey are all drawn into that worry. When we have the posture of worry we influence those around us and they begin to worry, as well.

Fortunately, Jesus doesn’t just leave us with a prohibition but gives us the positive alternative. Don’t worry about the future but seek first the Kingdom. Kingdom seeking is a daily event. The posture of the believer is one of seeking to honor God and to advance His Kingdom. Our lives are not to be marked by seeking our own provision, rights or freedoms. The life of a believer should be marked by seeking God’s provision, denying ourselves and seeking the best interest of others. When we have this posture we influence those around us and they begin seeking the Kingdom, as well.

The tremendous thing about what Jesus said is that we shouldn’t strive, labor and toil for things that our Heavenly Father wants to provide for us by His hand. We should seek Him daily and He will provide all of our needs. How easy is that? Turns out it’s a lot harder than it should be. We have a hard time letting go.

While the Bible is chock full of wisdom, I think the last verse of this passage might be some of the wisest advice out there. “Do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” It does nothing but add stress to our lives to worry about things we have no control over. God will provide each day’s needs on that day. Tomorrow’s bread doesn’t come today.

We should not worry about the future effects of this pandemic. We should seek first the Kingdom of God and trust that He will take care of the rest.

The sky is definitely not falling.