Matthew 6:25-34 (ESV)
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Reflection
Jesus taught about anxiety-free living by trusting in God’s provision in our lives. The attitudes we choose lead the way we think and behave. Many times, especially in Western society, we carry covetous attitudes, adding to levels of worry as we attempt to fulfill our desires. Any desire that leads us to worry blocks the fullness of God’s design for our lives. Our trust in God’s provision should be priority over all else.
Planning for tomorrow is time well spent, worrying about tomorrow is time well wasted.
Reflect on today’s scripture. Make a list of ALL your desires (goals, relationships, wealth, material possessions, recognition from others, etc.) Slowly review your list. Cross out any desire that evokes even the smallest level of worry. Pray over the crossed-out desires, giving them over to God’s provision instead of your worry.
Reflection Song
Listen to Cory Asbury’s | Sparrows
