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Dr. Tony Evans: Don't tell me you love Jesus and you are as worried as your non-Christian neighbor about how you're going to make it.

Guest (Male): Dr. Tony Evans talks about why we still experience anxiety when God promises us peace.

Dr. Tony Evans: The reason why we stay worried as a lifestyle is that first things aren't first.

Guest (Male): Priorities are out of order. This is the Alternative broadcast featuring the timeless biblical teachings from the archives of Dr. Tony Evans.

Dr. Tony Evans: Dr. Evans says the fact that we're worried can be a bigger problem than whatever we're worried about. Let's join him as he explains.

Today, I want to talk to you about another kind of freedom. One that we all need. I need it, you need it. And that's freedom from anxiety. Freedom from anxiety. Or to use the more popular term, freedom from worry.

And there's plenty to worry about. Some people are worried about the financial situation. That could be their job, their bills, paying the rent, things that have to do with material and financial responsibility and you are worried.

Others are worried about health issues. We worry about terrorism. You can worry about what people think, and you can be controlled by the impressions and impact of others.

Dr. Tony Evans: In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus wants to tell you something. Can Jesus tell you something? Verse 25, the first line, "For this reason, I say to you, do not worry." Verse 31, "Do not worry." Verse 34, "So do not worry."

Three times in this passage, Jesus wants to tell those who are gathered in our service today, stop it. If Jesus commands you to stop something and you keep doing it, it's a sin. Therefore, it's a sin to worry. That raises the first question, and that is what is worry? What is worry?

Some of us try to make it seem better. We say I'm not worried, I'm just concerned. The Greek word used here for worry was a word that used for the unthreading of a garment, so that there was a detachment occurring because the threads of the garment were coming out. So it meant to be detached or unraveled. You are worrying when your circumstances are unraveling you.

To worry meant to be controlled by the circumstance so that they dictated to you your well-being. How is that different than concern? The fundamental difference from legitimate concern and illegitimate concern or anxiety or worry is the issue of what's in control.

Concern, you're in control of it. Worry, it's in control of you. Worry tells you whether you're going to sleep tonight or not. Worry tells you whether you're going to have a migraine headache or not. Worry dictates to you whether you're going to stay mad and angry or not.

When Jesus was with Martha and Mary, and Martha was getting all upset, she got upset with Jesus, she got upset with Mary. Jesus said, "You are worried about too many things." Worry is controlling your attitude right now.

When it's controlling you, the circumstances are negatively controlling you, that's worry. Legitimate concern is when you are controlling it. The issue is, what's in control? When it comes to worry, Jesus said, "Don't do it."

Dr. Tony Evans: Having established this, Jesus then says. He says, "If you are prone to worry, verse 26, look at the birds of the air. Become a bird watcher." If you're prone to worry, because he says, "If you really pay attention to birds, you will discover something, that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them."

Could it be that the bird knows something the child of God doesn't? Because he says, "Your heavenly Father feeds them." In other words, birds get up assuming something. Daddy got today covered. Somewhere out there there is a worm with my name on it.

So he says, study the birds. He goes on. And why are you worried about clothing? "Observe how the lilies of the field grow. They do not toil, they don't spin. Yet I say, that even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these."

Father God has trained Mother Nature to naturally take care of itself. In other words, the provision is built in to the process. The level of your worry reveals the size of your faith.

You say, okay, okay, I got it. God has got it already built in. The systems are already working. The birds can testify. What does God want me to do? Because I'm tired of worrying. I'm tired of PM, so I can go to sleep. I'm tired of that. I'm tired of worrying.

Verse 31, "Do not worry then saying, what will we eat, or what will we drink, or what will we wear for clothing." Don't speak worry into your life. See, once you start asking that question, you're speaking the problem back to you. You're telling yourself, hey, there's something to worry about because how am I going to make it? How am I going to make it? How am I going to make it?

Okay, then what am I supposed to do? What am I supposed to do? Watch this now. He says, "For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things, for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things." Now, watch this, we're going somewhere.

If you are a worrier, you're no better than a pagan. The word Gentile refers to unbelievers, pagans, the heathen. Don't talk about you love Jesus and you're as worried as your coworker about being laid off. Don't tell me you love Jesus and you're as worried as your non-Christian neighbor about how you're going to make it. But your heavenly Father knows you have need of these things. The necessities of life.

Here's our problem. We have confused the necessities of life with the extras of life. We have confused what God promises to meet and what we want him to do. We have transferred needs into wants and then get mad at God because he's not meeting our needs that really are not the needs, they're the wants.

So we become like the Gentiles and we seek it, which means we go break our necks, we work overtime, we do in 10 jobs. We can't come to church because we're too tired from working six days or we got to work seven days, and we become like the heathen breaking our necks for stuff God said, "I would take care of if you had him in the right priority." But you don't give me a chance to take care of them because you won't operate by my order.

And so we're living from hand to mouth, week to week, trying to exist because we have inverted needs into wants. But, "Seek first the kingdom and his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Keyword? First.

The reason why we stay worried as a lifestyle is that first things aren't first. Priorities are out of order. And when spiritual priorities are out of order, don't expect to see God come through. You are worried because you're not confident. But you're not confident because first things aren't first.

See, this is one of the great promises in the Bible. "Seek first," not second, third, fourth, fifth, or sixth. If there's a first, there must be a second. His kingdom. Now, in a kingdom, you got a king. See, a lot of people want God to kill their worry when they won't treat him like a king. And a king means, "I'm in charge."

And that's why the debts won't go away, that's why the problems won't go away, that's why the transformations won't come, culturally, societally, in the family, in the church, or even in our individual lives. He says, "Seek ye first." God hates being second, and he sure enough hates being last. That's not what he wants. "Seek ye first." And that's what we don't want.

We don't want to address what God requires on the front end. So we give God what's left over on the back end, then get mad at God 'cause God's not answering our prayer. "Seek ye first," the kingdom of God. In your relationships, in your career, whatever it is, "Let me be the king first." What I think should be asked first. How I feel about should be addressed first. What I want you to do should be the question you ask first.

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness." That means his standard, his will, his way, his word. He says, "You will be amazed what you see when I'm become first." When you stop leaving me to what's left over.

Guest (Male): Dr. Evans will return in a moment with a look at what God wants to start adding to our lives. First though, don't miss the chance to get your own copy of all six messages in Tony's current series, Having Faith During Fear. If you contact us right away, the full-length versions of these messages are yours on CD, USB flash drive, or downloadable MP3, along with our thanks when you make a contribution in support of the ministry of The Alternative.

And right now, we'll also include a special bonus, Dr. Evans' popular book, Kingdom Encounters. In it, he reveals how the very trials we try to avoid can become powerful moments where we experience God more deeply and personally. You'll discover how God often meets us in life's hardest seasons to strengthen our faith, restore our hope, and draw us closer to him. To request your copy of this bundle, visit us today at TonyEvans.org or call us at 1-800-800-3222. This is a limited time offer, so visit us as soon as you can. Again, that's TonyEvans.org or by phone at 1-800-800-3222 any time of the day or night. We'll return with more of today's message right after this.

Guest (Female): Sometimes the clearest moments come when you step away from the noise and give your soul room to breathe. This February, you're invited to experience that kind of renewal on a Caribbean cruise with Dr. Tony Evans. Join Dr. Evans and friends of the ministry, February 28th through March 7th for a seven-day journey from Fort Lauderdale. You'll visit Nassau, the unspoiled beaches of Grand Turk, and Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic, along with peaceful days at sea and a relaxing stop at Half Moon Cay. Together, these moments create the perfect setting for rest, reflection, and spiritual growth. And on board, you'll experience inspiring teaching, uplifting worship, and meaningful connection. This isn't just a vacation, it's an opportunity to return home refreshed, refocused, and renewed. Don't miss your chance to be part of it. Visit TonyEvans.org and make your reservation today. That's TonyEvans.org.

Dr. Tony Evans: You know, the Sabbath was established to give one day where you didn't try to earn money. That was the one day a week you couldn't try to earn money. It's called the Sabbath. In the New Testament it says you can choose whatever day you want to be the Sabbath. It doesn't have to be Saturday. In the Old Testament it was Saturday. He says, "But that there must be in the rhythm of life." Even God didn't skip this. On the seventh day he rested. He didn't rest because he was tired. He rested because he wasn't going to do nothing else. He was finished.

In other words, everything else that happened had to happen because of what he had already done the six days. And look at what he says in verse 33. He says, "And all these things will be added to you." Whoa, did you get that? Added to you. In other words, he'll make the hookup. He'll make the connection. He'll add what you're trying to force. He'll add what you're trying to make happen. He'll bring it to you. He'll connect it to you.

Many of us are blocking God's hookup. Blocking God's addition. And the extra stuff we're doing is creating subtraction. Then we got bad attitudes, we're mad at people all the time, we're frustrated, we're doing all this because, "I just got too much on my mind." We can't handle it, but we're doing everything we know to do. And we're doing more of it and more of it and more of it and more of it and more of it. And God's not adding anything, because we're not doing it his way. We're doing it our way and asking him to bless it. In other words, as though we're the king of the kingdom, and we set the standards.

You're driving your car, you're driving your car, you see somebody on the side of the road, hungry, hungry, please for some money, for something to eat. We've all seen that. Most of us probably from time to time help somebody. But everybody with a sign up doesn't mean you ought to do something for them. Because there's always a question that has to be answered, what are you hungry for? If you're hungry for food, then it ought to be okay if I say let's go to McDonald's. See that that ought to be a good. 'Cause that's money, but it's money for food if you're hungry for food.

But if you only use the word hungry, and you don't put nothing in it, you could be hungry for drugs. And I don't want to give you money if that's what you're hungry for, because you only told me you're hungry. You gave me a fact, but you didn't tell me the truth. So until I get the rest of the story, I don't know whether to invest in that sign. See, God sees signs every Sunday from Christians coming into the church talking about, "I need thee, oh, I need thee." Every hour, I need thee. And we got the church, "Jesus, I need you." We're waving our head, "I need you." God saying, "For what?"

I want the rest of the story here. You just need me so you can use me up? You just need me so I can bless you so you can skip me? You just need me so I can do more for you so you can do less for me? You just need me? What for what? What's the rest of the story? Are you talking to a king? Or are you talking to Santa Claus? He will add to you.

God says in Jeremiah, a scripture you should read when you're prone to worry. Chapter 17, verses 7-8. Jeremiah 17:7-8, God says, "And I will remove your anxiety in a drought." You know what drought means? That means no rain. No rain, no agriculture. No agriculture, no food. No food, you starve. So when it's not raining for a long period of time, you can get scared. You can panic when it hasn't rained for a long period of time. But God says, "I will remove your worry in a recession. In a depression. When you don't know where the stuff is coming from, I will calm your mind." Or as it says in Isaiah chapter 26, verses 3 and 4, "I will keep him with a steadfast mind whose mind is stayed upon me."

See when your company, when your company, you work for a company, you have to travel for them. If your company sends you somewhere, they pay for it. If you go to that same place on your own, you pay for it, 'cause you weren't sent. In other words, your company takes responsibility for what it requires of you, if it's a good company. We want to go on our own, but we want the company to pay.

We want to do our own thing, but we want to know why the king won't pick up the tab. 'Cause God is saying, "That's not where I sent you. That's not what I want done. That's not how I want it done. That's not when I want it done. That's not my thing. I'm not picking that up." Now you're mad at me, talking about, "I don't believe you answer prayer." He says, "So do not worry about tomorrow. For tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Ain't that the truth? Come on, tell the truth and shame the devil.

Okay. Most of us are being crucified between two thieves, yesterday and tomorrow. We're being crucified between two thieves. The regrets of yesterday, the uncertainty of tomorrow, and we still got to deal with the trouble of today. He says, "Don't borrow from tomorrow." In other words, "This might happen tomorrow, this might happen tomorrow. All these things might happen tomorrow. How am I going to make it tomorrow?"

He says, "When you withdraw from the bank of tomorrow, you've increased the burden of today." Did you, did you follow that? So that means you reached into tomorrow, brought it back to today, so now you got to deal with what you already had on your plate today and what tomorrow just added to that plate. And you got to pay interest on both. So you've added to yourself a burden you were never meant to have. Listen to me, listen to me.

It's okay to plan for tomorrow. The Bible talks about planning. You can plan for tomorrow. What you can't do is get unraveled about tomorrow. You can't worry about tomorrow. Why? Because the only thing God is promising you is enough for today. Lamentations 3:23, "His mercies are new every day. Give us this day our daily bread." God is only guaranteeing you today. So when you start thinking about tomorrow, you've gone further than God has promised. He's only supporting you today.

"Well, what about tomorrow?" He'll meet you there. Plan, yes. Today is the tomorrow that you worried about yesterday. Today is the tomorrow that you were worried about yesterday. And now you're today. Today has enough trouble of its own. And you know, if you can't even deal with the stuff in your face today, you're not going to be able to handle that plus tomorrow's stuff today. Don't worry, tomorrow's stuff will be there when you get there. 'Cause when you get there, tomorrow will be today.

He says, "Do not worry about tomorrow." All I'm trying to tell you, look at your neighbor and say, "Stop it." You can't worry no more. You don't have a right to worry. It's a sin to worry. You've insulted your father when you worry, 'cause you've said to your Father, "The birds can trust you. The flowers can trust you, but I can't trust you." You've insulted God. But if we had a testimony service here today, and if we could invite the children of Israel. The children of Israel would testify, "We were in a wilderness, and we didn't know where we were going to get water, and where we were going to get food."

"But God had food in a rock, and rained down cornflakes from above." If the widow of Zarephath was here this morning, she would testify, "I was down to my last meal, and me and my son had only one meal left. But when I put God first with Elijah, God took that bread, he took that oil, he multiplied it and gave us enough to retire." If the disciples were here to testify this morning, they could tell you they were with 5,000 men, not counting women and children, and they didn't know how they were going to feed them. But a little boy with some sardine and crackers gave it to Jesus first, and Jesus multiplied it, fed 5,000 women and children and had 12 baskets full left over. If Jesus were here, he could testify from John 6, "I am the bread of life." "He that cometh to me," he says, "will not thirst, and I will give him living water, and I will feed him the bread of life." Somebody ought to bless his name up in here, that God can be trusted. Even when you don't know how he's going to do it, when you put him first.

Guest (Male): Dr. Tony Evans with the most powerful antidote for anxiety, our trust in God. As I mentioned earlier, today's message is part of an exclusive resource package. All six full-length messages in Tony's current series, Having Faith During Fear, along with a copy of his popular book, Kingdom Encounters, Experiencing More of God When Life Hurts. This powerful resource will help you see how God uses life's challenges to draw you into deeper, life-changing encounters with him. These resources are all yours along with our thanks for your donation to help keep this listener-supported program coming your way. Just visit TonyEvans.org by the end of the day tomorrow to make the arrangements, or call our resource center at 1-800-800-3222 any time of the day or night. Again, that's TonyEvans.org or by phone at 1-800-800-3222. And one final note, outside the pulpit, you can hear Dr. Evans bring biblical insight into candid conversations with special guests on his Unbound podcast, available to listen to anytime on all the major podcast platforms. Even in good times, there never seems to be a shortage of things to be anxious about, but worry will only eat us up from the inside. Tomorrow, Dr. Evans points out that God has a better plan for us when anxiety wants to take hold of our thoughts. Be sure to tune in to find out more.