Wednesday, October 29, 2025

"That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life…” (Matthew 6:25, New Living Translation)

                It seems to me that Jesus’ words fly over the head of any hardcore Toronto Blue Jays fan.  Deep worry and anxiety are fundamental attitudes for those of us who passionately cheer for this team on a regular basis. Now that the Jays are in the World Series, it is even worse. We agonize over every pitch, squirm when the Dodgers are winning, complain over the manager’s pitching decisions, gripe about the umpires, have sleepless nights after a loss, sit on the edge of our seats during a game wringing our hands and shaking our heads, praying for divine intervention. Look up ‘anxiety’ in the dictionary and you’ll see a picture of a Blues Jays fan – probably mine.

                There was a news clip on the CBC last night which claimed that this stress and worry about our sports’ teams can be bad for our health, especially if we have a serious heart condition.  Blood pressure increases. Bio-chemicals get stirred up. Our breathing may become affected. Our physical domain is put in jeopardy because of our intense relationship with the teams we cheer for and die for. Don’t I know it!

                I know that they are just games. World peace does not depend on them.  The sun still comes up even after a loss. Nobody dies. There is always a next time. But in the moment, worry and anxiety seep in and take over more often than not.

                We really should save our anxiety for more serious matters in the world.  We need to concerned about big things like wars, pollution, hatred, racism, and the like. Or perhaps, it is more personal - health issues, relationship troubles, financial concerns, employment difficulties, troubled children, etc.  These are indeed troubled times we live in and we can weigh ourselves down with anxiety and worry.

                Yet Jesus has the audacity to tell us not to worry about everyday things. Perhaps being concerned is not quite the same as being worried and anxious but, either way, our fears, worries, anxieties, even concerns can threaten to overwhelm us. Jesus looks us in the eyes and challenges us not to let the bad win out. Don’t let the challenges take over our lives and don’t let the darkness prevail when it surrounds us.  Let our faith, in fact, show us the way out of those worries. Let our trust in God prevail when life becomes troublesome. Let our hope in God take hold rather than despair. “Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them.” (Psalm 10:17)

                I don’t think that this trust in the face of adversity means we are seeing the world through rose-coloured glasses. It doesn’t make us gullible or naïve. It doesn’t lead us into wishful or fanciful thinking. It doesn’t mean that all our problems will magically disappear. But standing on the promises of God give us a firm foothold, a rock upon which to stand, when the storms are fierce and dangerous.

                “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” (Matthew 5: 31 -33)

                Paul wrote much about the ideal of hope. It was one of the cornerstones of walking with Jesus: faith, hope and love. For a man who faced so much adversity, it is remarkable that his personal sense of hope was so strong and vibrant. “Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.” (Romans 12:12) Having hope rather than anxiety gives us strength, courage, perseverance, determination, and sometimes, even a sense of peace, all because of knowing God’s Love for us. “Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” (1 Corinthians 13:7)

                Let’s not allow the world to get the better of us. “But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God’s entire house. And we are God’s house, if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ.” (Hebrews 3:6)

                But really, Lord, can you help out the Blue Jays?

Dale