Watching the news brings very little encouragement about the state of the world. As global events are changing and unfolding, it is more imperative than ever for us to encourage ourselves with the promises of God.
Supply shortages, weird viruses and illnesses, unsettled foreign affairs, threats of war, food shortages, and global warming can make our heads spin and our hearts fill with worry.
“Jesus said that worry is sinful. We may dignify worry by calling it by some other name – concern, burden, a cross to bear – but the results are still the same … The Greek word translated “to worry” literally means “to be draw in different directions.” Worry pulls us apart.”
(The Wiersbe Study Bible, commentary on page 1401)
What are we to do if we find ourselves worrying?
Lately I have been focusing on the words in red in my Bible, the ones spoken by Jesus Himself:
“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the sky, that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather crops into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more important than they?” (Matthew 6:25-26, NASB)
Are we not much more important than they? But Jesus does not stop there:
“But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!” (verse 30, NASB)
God Himself clothes the grass of the field, and trust me, my grass is pretty brown and burnt out right now. And He tends to it.
Luke gives us more details, telling us of God’s care of sparrows, the cheapest of birds in that time. In the telling, he lets us know of our great worth to God.
“Are five sparrows not sold for two assaria? And yet not one of them has gone unnoticed in the sight of God. But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not fear; you are more valuable than a great number of sparrows.” (Luke 12:6-7, NASB)
We notice the birds and the grass, and know how He tends to them. Yet we allow ourselves to be consumed with worry. Jesus scolds us a bit as He says, “You of little faith!”
In the Bible Study, Sermon on the Mount by The Daily Grace Company, they used a phrase which has so stuck with me: “anxious obsession.” It is interesting how anxiety can become an obsession and so easily out of control.
The other morning, I was hand watering some plants outside. I was struck with how a little care each morning and night has kept my plants alive even in the midst of the heat and drought.
Perhaps that is what we need –
a little tender care of our souls,
both morning and night, from God’s Word.
Last week our family was on vacation and so, I did not get to read every post which was linked. This week I am sharing a post, not shared, but one which was read.
The pandemic caused us all to develop some habits perhaps without even realizing it. The habits have hung on longer than need be. Perhaps this post will inspire you to give up a few habits of your own. You can read “Three pandemic habits I’m absolutely done with” by Hannah Brencher HERE.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Photo by Patrice Bouchard on Unsplash
Today I am joining …
Hi Joanne, your post is so similar to mine. I think the Lord is leading us all to encourage one another in these crazy times we’re living in. I’ll be back later to link up when its open 🙂
God bless
Tracy
You shared one of my favorite verses as I love Habakkuk! We so need to keep encouraging one another so that no one loses heart! Blessings, friend!
Thanks, Joanne. I definitely have a tendency to worry. I need this reminder about God’s care for us.
I truly think the news is presented in such a way that it heightens emotions. May we be diligent to fill our hearts and minds with God’s Word so there is room for nothing else!
I love that thought about how a little care for our souls from God’s Word can sustain us. We need to turn our anxious thoughts to His goodness, love, care, and ability to handle anything in our lives.
The thought was so profound to me. We had gone on vacation for a week and my plants were struggling a bit. I was amazed at how they perked up with a little care. Some dead heading, some watering, and some talking to was all they needed 🙂 It’s what we need as well!
Such a timely reminder, Joanne with so much unrest around us. It’s easy to develop “anxious obsessions”! I love reading the words in Red in my Bible too-just seeing them brings me comfort! But how true, “Perhaps that is what we need –
a little tender care of our souls, both morning and night, from God’s Word.” this has been in my own life, in quieting my anxiety. Thank you!
Joanne, I love those verses in Matthew and how you applied them to today. Like your plants, I need a little watering morning and night to make it through this drought!
Love those verses, Joanne! Let us not forget to care for our souls and to remember who is our ultimate, good caregiver.
Perfect timing on this topic, and I am reminded of the outrageous self-importance my worry reveals. As the verse says, I can’t add a moment to my life by worrying!
Great post Joanne! Very thought provoking especially the quote about the true meaning of worry!
Thank you, Jennifer
I’m so thankful the Prince of Peace gives us His peace to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. What a difference it makes to be under the shelter of His wings.
Those red-letter words stand out to me, too. They are so life-giving. And Matthew 6 is one of my favorite chapters. I need Jesus’s encouragement again and again to not worry about tomorrow.
Amen Joanne. This is a wonderful article, sobeautifullyspoken. Pausing to reflect today.
Joanne, Matthew 6 really started to hit home with me during the early days of the pandemic. The term “anxious obsession†is a good one … our thoughts and energy are definitely better used thinking on things that are pure, lovely, praiseworthy, etc., than on things that may or may not ever happen.