Thoughts for the Day

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 clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you - you of little faith! ..... Your father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Well it's easier said than done, isn't it? How do we stop worrying? What silly things we worry about, it's not just the major things that concern us, but the little things as well. And while we're worrying our life away we've taken our eyes off God.

Not only that but we now know that stress causes ill health. It lowers our T-cell count which is essential for a healthy immune system; it can affect our fertility; and it's also related to sudden heart failure among other things. Such worry which sometimes hides itself as needing to be responsible for something or someone, is not wrong, but our life should be much more. We have eternal matters to concern us, not just physical things. Charles Spurgeon, the great Baptist preacher once said: “You say you cannot help being anxious. Then, my dear friend, I must very solemnly ask you what is the difference between you and the man of the world?”

Tellingly, Jesus reminds us that we cannot add an hour to our life, though I guess we might lose an hour or two by worrying! He also reminds us that God provides for the birds, who presumably don't worry, but do work. The birds don't just sit waiting for God to give them everything, they search for food, for shelter and for protection. We too are called to find solutions to our problems, not just sit back and wait to see if God solves them, but ultimately we are called to trust Him.

Heavenly Father,
when we spend our time worrying
about the things of this world,
all we do it damage ourselves and achieve little.
Help us to put You first in our life,
try to solve our own problems,
but ultimately learn to trust
that You have our good at heart.
Amen.