February 26 Worry Free

Luke 12:22-25 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 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 his life?  
 
SOME of you reading this have great cause for worry, don’t you? You look around your village to see children without food, women without husbands and men who have no jobs. Each day the “worry cloud” darkens the “faith light” in your heart. “Will I have enough to eat today? Will I be able to live here another day? Can I protect my children from disease? Is there any possible way I can obey Jesus’ teaching? Does Jesus really speak the truth when he says, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.”
    It’s easy for all of us to worry about our lives, isn’t it? We all face challenges of some form within our lives, family, community and nation. How then, do we not worry about our lives to, instead, trust the Savior’s comforting assurance here?
    What is worry? It is to be anxious about things we can’t control. Jesus, then, is teaching us to let go of those uncontrollable events and to believe the sovereign Lord is in control. You don’t control the birds of the air. God does. And God takes care of them. He will take care of you.
    How does God care for you? First, he created you with a mind to receive his teachings on the right way to live. Obeying God’s laws will form a sturdy foundation in your life to physically care for yourself and others. Much troublesome worry occurs when we ignore God’s laws. Yes, others can cause you harm. But strive daily to live in the Father’s “household” under the Father’s rules.
    Moreover, your mind is creative. You are capable of learning ways to solve the “worries” you can control. If you need a sure source of daily food, for example, what actions can you take to make that happen? If you need to resolve a troublesome relationship, what must you do for that to happen? A mind without worry has more room for creative, productive thinking.
    When inclined to worry, stop and say to yourself: “I believe Jesus is the Son of God made flesh, crucified, dead and buried, risen and ascended to Heaven. He is my Lord and Savior. I will trust the risen Lord for each aspect of my daily life.”
 
Prayer: Father in Heaven, I pray I live in the words of Psalms 40:3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.