LUKE 12:22-32 – “And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 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 which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious 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 arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.””
THEME OF THE DAY: WORRY, THE CHRISTIAN, AND THE LORD. Today’s scripture identifies a challenge every Christian faces. Actually, every human being faces. It came from our first parents, Adam and Eve, when they sinned against God. There is a difference though. The Chrisian has the resources in Christ to defeat this emotional beast. The non-Christian does not. And the beast? Anxiety: that crippling emotional pain that can become so intense one feels emotionally and spiritually paralyzed. Even physically, anxiety wreaks havoc within us. It may bring extreme exhaustion to our weary bodies and an exhausted Christian is easy prey for the devil.
As we read the portion of our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount, He gives a lot of instructions to help those of His people feeling the powerful grip of this beast.
First, the Lord tells us to go do some bird watching. As we do, take notice and number how many are fretting, worrying, and riddled with anxiety. Not a one. They have an unwavering trust in their Creator. Learn from these silent teachers. They teach us much about trust which is the cure to anxiety.
Next, we are reminded that God is our Father and our heavenly Father always cares and provides for His children. To worry, fret, and let anxiety rule us reveal we struggle with the sin of unbelief of God’s promises of protection and provision.
A final instruction from the Lord is don’t let anxiety distract us from what is most important in life – “And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Jesus is telling us, “Keep your focus on the main thing and God will care for our needs.”
Anxiety is real. If not fought against by God’s truth, this beast will conquer us. But thank the Lord, we can slay it. Go back and ponder the instructions of Jesus, then apply them. The beast of anxiety will flee in defeat.
PRAYER: Father, forgive me for allowing the cares of life to move my heart to worry and forget Your care of me.
REFLECTION: All worry does is produce stress, anxiety, and exhaustion of our bodies, minds, and spirits.