don't worry

Luke 12:

22 Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said,

     "That is why I tell you: don't worry about everyday life...

           whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear.

23 For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing.


24 Look at the ravens.

       They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns,

           for God feeds them.

And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!

25 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

26 And if worry can't accomplish a little thing like that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things?



  27 "Look at the lilies and how they grow.

          They don't work or make their clothing,

          yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.


28 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you.

Why do you have so little faith?



  29 "And don't be concerned about what to eat and what to drink.

          Don't worry about such things.


30 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world,

        but your Father already knows your needs.

31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else,

        and he will give you everything you need.



  32 "So don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.



  33 "Sell your possessions and give to those in need.

This will store up treasure for you in heaven!

And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes.

Your treasure will be safe;

     no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it.


34 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.



My mischievous nephew, Aaron Barth, would probably say that we could stop reading in verse 22 with the words, "don't worry about your everyday life."

And the longer I know him, & watch him walk in the grace & mercy of God, the more I see his life reflect that truth.

Will you go back through those 12 verses & reread them? There is SO MUCH within them that Jesus says that should quiet our worries & calm our fears.

I should know - I'm a world class worrier.

WHy do we worry?

It's a trust issue.

Either we should believe Him & that He'll take care of us,

     or we should at least admit to ourselves that we don't believe the God of the universes when He says He'll take care of us.


I try to choose each day that I will believe Him (it's a choice, ya know)


"...don't worry about your everyday life..."