Luke 12:22-31
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. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 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! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
“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. 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! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well."
I encourage you to please pray that God helps you understand His word and message through scripture, then read through these verses a couple of times, really chew on these verses today.
Jesus made it very simple for us by giving us instructions in the bible. He was also very specific on a lot of things, like telling us not to worry. He's very clear that worrying isn't going to help get us anywhere, and worry is not from God. Life is so much more fulfilling when you let God take care it. He was even loving enough not to just say "Okay, don't worry", but instead explains what to replace those types of thoughts with as well.
He tells us to "seek his kingdom". Focus on loving God with everything you have, surrender your every day to Him and be excited that He has everything under control! Worrying will not add a single hour to your life, all it does is rob you of your joy and peace, which takes your eyes off of the One who can take care of the situation! When you worry, you're focusing on the problem instead of the solution. God LOVES you beyond what you can even comprehend; He wants you to live an abundant life full of joy and peace and love that is absolutely overflowing. He's going to make provision in your life and give you what you need. I've seen Him do it in my life and the lives of my faith family countless times.
But so often I let the problem distract me from the solution (God!) and I let myself worry about it, even though I've experienced God work situations out in ways I would've never imagined, and way better than I could've guessed! So when you do start to worry about a situation (because you probably will, we all do because we're human, there's a reason Jesus talked to us about this!) be intentional about taking those thoughts captive! (2 Corinthians 10:5, Philippians 4:8) Start by talking to God; thank Him for what He has already done in your life. This is going to build your faith and remind you of how He has already worked out situations in the past (thanks for helping me pass that impossible class, thank you for healing my friend's illness, thank you for providing me the funding for that mission trip, etc.). Then ask Him to take the worry away and replace it with peace and comfort, and ask Him in confidence to work the situation out, and know without a doubt that He is going to take care of it! (Romans 8:28).
Pray this week that God helps you to stay free from worry. There is freedom that comes with being a child of God, and that includes freedom from stress and worries. Actively focus on how God has worked out problems in the past for you and people you know, and even for people in the bible. Remember to stay plugged in to His word and the power that is yours as a child of the most high King!
Related Scripture to Keep You Focused This Week:
- Philippians 4:4-13
- Matthew 6:25-34
- Jeremiah 29:11-13
- Proverbs 3:5-6
- Matthew 11:28-30
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