Someone asked me the other day, “How do you not worry?” The question stemmed from one’s reading of Matthew 6:25-34, where Jesus told his audience to not worry about food, clothes, or tomorrow. Though one can make a case that the context of the scripture is geared more toward one’s basic financial needs, the real remedy for our worry is in understanding the difference between our wants and our needs.
In the text, God is the caregiver to our needs. Jesus reminds his audience that God will take care of our basic physical needs. Jesus eloquently cited examples like the birds of the air and flowers of the field to show that God provides for both. They do not go wanting. He provides for their needs. But what we wish for is more than our needs—what we really desire is our wants. There lies the rub and often the source of our anxiety. Think about it for a moment, what do you worry about the most? What you are going to eat? What clothes to wear? Probably not…for so many, those aren’t the concern. The anxiety stems more from our abundance, not from our scarcity.
Therefore, maybe we need to press the reset button again. Take a moment today, to sit quietly, take inventory your life, and see all that is already provided for you. Pray for a changed heart to be satisfied with what we already have and not what we want. Take this opportunity to surrender yourself into God’s hands. Know that is enough and nothing else is needed. Allow God to harness your worry, calm the panic, and assure you that God cares about who you are and what is taking place in your life.
This week’s reading:
- Monday – Matthew 28
- Tuesday – 1 Thessalonians 1
- Wednesday –1 Thessalonians 2
- Thursday – 1 Thessalonians 3
- Friday – 1 Thessalonians 4
Please Pray for:
- The United Methodist Church
- Our families, homes, workplace, church, and community.
- Our nation and our leaders.
- Those grieving the loss of loved ones.
- Ongoing Building Renovations, Modifications, and Phase 3: Construction of New Youth Building and rear parking.
- Upcoming activities and studies planned for this fall/winter.