Worry Established on the Gospel

Naomi Middleton

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“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 than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 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—you of little faith? 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. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." - Matthew 6:25-34

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This past year has been one of the most stretching and transformative seasons our family has ever experienced. We welcomed a second child, our precious Gavin, into our lives—a joyful miracle who brought with him a whole new set of challenges and blessings. Alongside this incredible gift, we continued navigating the sometimes turbulent waters of toddlerhood with Brayden. He was going through a phase filled with big emotions, testing boundaries, and asserting his will in ways that pushed us as parents to grow and adapt. Each day brought new surprises and sometimes frustration, as we sought to nurture him with love and patience.

Meanwhile, my husband Caleb made a significant change in his professional life. He left his familiar job and embraced a new opportunity that demanded not only learning new skills but also adjusting our family rhythms to accommodate his different schedule and responsibilities. It was a season filled with hope and promise but also uncertainty and transition.

Looking back, I can say all these things—the addition of a new baby, the toddler struggles, the career shift—were good and valuable in their own ways. Yet despite their goodness, there were many moments when life felt overwhelming. There were times when circumstances outside of our control seemed to pile up all at once, and I found myself wrestling with anxiety, exhaustion, and the weight of responsibility. It felt like I was holding together a thousand pieces at once, and sometimes I wasn’t sure how much longer I could keep going without breaking.

About halfway through this journey, I stumbled upon Matthew 6:25-34 which became a lifeline for me. As I read and reread those verses, I began to see worry in a new light—not just as an unpleasant feeling to be endured, but as something deeply opposed to the gospel message. Worry, I realized, is not only harmful to our peace of mind but fundamentally anti-gospel. It betrays a lack of faith in God’s provision and care.

We Were Created to Depend on God (Creation)

Waiting isn’t necessarily a result of the Fall. In fact, we were created to wait on God. From the very beginning, humanity was designed to live in daily dependence on the Creator—trusting His voice, walking in step with His timing, and receiving His provision moment by moment. In Eden, there was no fear of delay, no anxiety over outcomes, and no striving to control the future. Waiting wasn’t burdensome—it was simply part of a trusting relationship with a faithful God.

One of the hardest truths for humanity to grasp is that dependence on God is actually what we were created for. Dependence doesn’t come naturally to us. Our culture encourages independence, self-sufficiency, and control. We want to be the ones steering the ship, managing every detail, and making sure nothing catches us off guard.

But Jesus paints a different picture in Matthew 6 - He points to the birds of the air, who neither sow nor reap, yet are cared for by God. They don’t worry about their next meal or their shelter because they live fully within the system God designed for them. They are completely dependent on God’s provision, and in that dependence, they are free.

We, too, are designed to live in this way—not just occasionally calling on God when we need a rescue, but trusting Him fully with every breath, every moment, whether easy or hard. True dependence isn’t a fallback plan; it’s our intended way of life. It’s a daily posture of trust that runs deep, beyond surface prayers or quick fixes.

Worry is Self-dependence Rearing it’s Ugly Head (Fall)

When worry begins to take root, it often signals that we have shifted our trust away from God and back onto ourselves. It’s a subtle but destructive form of self-dependence. Instead of running to God with our fears and uncertainties, we try to lean harder on our own understanding and resources. We build safety nets, control mechanisms, and detailed plans to insulate ourselves from surprises or pain.

Sometimes we even try to justify our worry by calling it “concern” or “responsible planning,” dressing it up in more acceptable language. But deep down, worry is more than just a feeling of unease—it’s a sign that we’re trying to control outcomes that are not ours to control. It’s self-dependence at its core, and it keeps us from experiencing the peace God longs to give.

Dependency Is a Daily Choice (Redemption)

Every day presents a choice: to depend on oneself or to surrender fears and hopes into God’s hands. Circumstances beyond human control may be seen as problems or obstacles, but they also serve as opportunities for spiritual growth. These moments allow individuals to practice trust, open their hands, and receive God’s provision and peace.

Choosing dependence over worry does not mean ignoring real concerns or pretending everything is perfect. It means holding those concerns with open hands, acknowledging human limitations, and resting in the assurance of God’s unfailing care. This daily decision strengthens faith and renews joy, even amid life’s challenges.

The grace of God is sufficient in every season. Dependence on Him is not a sign of weakness but an invitation to a life of peace and freedom. Embracing this truth allows families to face uncertain times with hope, knowing that God holds every moment and every future securely in His hands.