Storms of Life: Encouragement for Seasons of StruggleSample

Spaghetti Models

Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow. (v. 34)

Once a storm is named, models are made predicting the storm’s path, timing, and wind speed. These are called spaghetti models, because they look like several strands of colored spaghetti. The storm is too far away to know the exact path, so the models can concurrently show different possible outcomes; a couple strands depict the storm coming straight at Tampa Bay, another several hitting other sides of the Gulf of Mexico, and a few more strands spiraling out into the Atlantic.

We also have something like spaghetti models in our minds, creating anxiety as we worry about the future. Rumors of layoffs, a new physical symptom, or your daughter announcing she thinks she’s found her soulmate—there is no way to foresee the exact path these events will take as they develop; and sometimes, we add to the anxiety by fearing the worst.

In our reading, Jesus is telling us to not be anxious about the future because our heavenly Father knows exactly what we need. Jesus says to “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (v. 33). Getting to know Jesus and learning from him must be our first priority. When we fill ourselves up with what Jesus teaches, he helps us untangle the spaghetti to identify the strands we can toss away, those to set aside until more is known, and those requiring attention now.

As you pray, get to know Jesus better and ask him to help you untangle the “spaghetti models” in your life.