Building On The RockSample

Look at the Birds

A recent study reported that when people were asked about their worries, 85 percent of what they worried about never happened, and of the 15 percent that did happen, 79 percent of subjects discovered either they could handle the difficulty better than expected or the difficulty taught them a lesson worth learning. Interesting, but what’s the biblical alternative to worry? Jesus makes it clear in Matthew 6:25-27: We are not to worry, but to trust our heavenly Father.

He tells us not to worry about three things. We are not to worry about food because God feeds the birds, and Jesus asks, “Are you not much more valuable than they?” We are not to worry about being clothed because God clothes the flowers, and “not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.” And we are not to worry about the future because “each day has enough trouble of its own.” He is illustrating the big things people worry about. We can, of course, worry about a whole range of things, but these are the biggies that can keep us awake at night.

The Lord goes on to say that this is ultimately a matter of perspective. If we seek above all else the kingdom of God and His righteousness God himself will supply our needs (Matthew 6:33). The key to not worrying is not how much money we have, but how we relate to our heavenly Father. It is not gritting our teeth through a situation but trusting the Lord for His strength and provision. Are we living by our own devices or are we living by faith?

If you are a worrier, begin to train yourself by saying, “Lord, I’ll trust You in this situation that I’m facing right now. I commit it to You, and I’ll wait expectantly for Your help and provision. Please give me the faith to follow through on this. Right now I put it in Your hands. And then go on to the next situation and do the same. You may not be successful every time, but keep trusting.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, whether I have plenty or am in need, help me to walk by faith. Let Your kingdom always be my priority and let me trust in Your loving heart. More and more each day may my worry be replaced by faith. Let me be confident in Your caring provision.