By Theodore Epp

      Philippians 4:6,7; Matthew 6:24-34

      There are at least three characteristics, or marks, that indicate we have excessive care. The first is being more concerned about things than about God's will for us.

      We will never have peace by acquiring things; peace comes only by being in God's will, with or without the possessions we think we so greatly need.

      Ours in the western world is a credit card society, and we are able to obtain about anything we want almost instantly. Then the anxiety comes in struggling to pay for all that was bought on impulse!

      Whether anxiety comes from wanting possessions or from concern over how to pay for them, it must be underscored that anxiety chokes the life of faith and strangles the peace of God.

      A second mark of excessive care is that in our hurried state we allow ourselves to be pressured into hasty decisions and actions.

      Life provides many illustrations of times when we feel we must make a decision immediately, and then later we realize it was not that urgent after all. When we are in league with God, we can afford to wait for His perfect time.

      A third characteristic of excessive care is that we are constantly agitated because of unrest in our souls. Faith--not worry--brings answers to prayers.

      Some people have what I call "pet cares." They like to keep these cares to talk about, and one gets the feeling they do not really want to get rid of them. But God says we are to bring all of our cares to Him.

      Usually one discovers he is either casting all of his cares upon God, or he is keeping all of his cares for himself.

      "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matt. 6:33).