22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you — you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Luke 12:22-34 ESV
It turns out worry isn’t a 21st Century issue. Two thousand years ago, Jesus’s disciples were prone to worry too.
Worry is rooted in control. Essentially we’re asking the question, How am I going to make this all work out? How am I going to put food on the table for my family? How am I going to buy new sneakers for my kids whose feet keep growing at an alarming speed?
The questions we fret over today are based on very real needs, but worry blocks our awareness of our very real God.
This is what Jesus was telling His friends: See Me! See My Father! See how We care for the birds and the flowers and the sheep. We delight even more in taking care of you.
If worry is wreaking havoc on your heart and mind:
- Reread today’s passage from Luke 12:22-34.
- Write down 3 things you’re worried about today.
- Write down 3 ways you’ve seen God take care of you in the past.
- (Share in the comments if you’d like!)
- Praise God for His faithfulness and that He is in control… so you don’t have to be.
Sisters, you are so loved.
Leave a Comment
The journey has been long and ever challenging. There has been so much worry. I’ve felt that I was forgotten/abandoned, worried about all of the mistakes I’ve made thinking that I derailed myself from my destiny and I’ve felt shame for not knowing how to navigate my own life. The Lord has been sharing with me all weekend the gift of accepting my life as it is rather than trying over and over again to escape it is the gift. Yet last night worry and comparison crept back in then this morning I read this encouragement. God is asking me to let go of wanting life to be simpler and easier and just allow Him to do whatever He’s going to do!
Thank you for the encouragement!!
Sister, I am with you! I’ve made so many detours I sometimes imagine God is up there just shaking his head at me like a disappointed Father. Still, like my earthly father, my Heavenly father never gives up on me! I have witnessed him turn things around in the most miraculous way and I’m still counting on him to restore other parts of my story that were derailed by my mistakes.
I’m never too far gone and neither are you!
Oh Shantell…..I can so identify with you! I will keep you in my prayers as you release your past. I too appreciate your vulnerability and sharing how you didn’t feel like you navigated your life well. Me too! I’m sure many will agree. Our God has the ability to reroute our lives from the exit ramp we took instead of the road He wanted us to take.
I’m sure you can bring to mind many things to thank God in His goodness and mercy for. I know I’m able to.
Stay focused on His Love. You’re His daughter Shantell. Me too
Dee
Thank you Sisters in Christ.
You are certainly right. And I agree with you in Prayer that my Friends and Colleagues who may have extra responsibilities in their families pause and ask the Holy Spirit to Teach us to cast our cares over to the Obedience of Christ.
I know this is a Faith practice for a lifestyle Journey of Christianity.
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone !
Brenda
Your Sister in Christ
Remember, we are God’s Beloved Daughters.
Right now I’m worried about Thanksgiving travel, having a stress-free family visit, and getting home.
I’ve never traveled during Thanksgiving before. Being able to do so IS a blessing! My kids and I haven’t spent a holiday together in more than 8 years. So being together is also a blessing. Having a new job that God provided in miraculous timing was THE blessing that made it all possible.
In Courage,
When I look out at the beautiful Smoky Mountains all decked out in the splendor of colors I can’t help but think how God will take care of me & all my problems.
God healed my dad of some psych issues & gave him back to me for a year.
There have been times when hubby was worried he might get laid off. Never once in 35 years of working at hospital has he been laid off or let go. He was furloughed for a while when Covid hit, but soon as they called him back they needed him to work every Friday (another 8 hr. shift on top of 3 12 hr. shifts).
20+ years ago I prayed for a Godly loving man to marry One that would help me with my aging parents. God didn’t waste time. Three years later we me via internet & married 12 weeks later. Next year will be our 20th anniversary. We have lost both my parents & his dad, plus 2 Iguanas. There have been good & bad seasons, but through it all we stick together. God is at the center of our lives.
Blessings 🙂