Focus
Let yourself become open to God and the knowledge that comes from the Word. Ask God for a peace at this time.
Read
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? 28 And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
34 “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Reflect
I have a lot of anxiety, much like many people I know. America is #1 in the use of anxiety medicines…and that was before the pandemic. Anxiety medicine use has rocketed over 34% since April of this year. The pandemic is adding stress and maybe a little bit of hopelessness. One thing I know that doesn’t work is simply willing yourself to be less anxious by the power of your will. At least that doesn’t work for me.
What does work for me, and I offer it prayerfully to you is to stop, take moment, and pray about my priorities. I lay before God all the things I have to do, all the things I worry about, and all the things that seem to get in the way of me feeling at peace. I don’t rush through it, but I offer it in conversation with God. Then, I get the old yellow legal pad and I write down the things that are most important. I line them up 1 through how many things I can think of needing to get done. I wait a bit more thinking with the Holy Spirit and rearrange those things if I feel led. Then I write down all the things that are bringing me down. I end with all the things that give me blessings and positivity. I finish up by praying over this list, giving it to God. I sometimes pray this scripture to God personalizing it…”Chris, consider the lilies of the field and the birds of the air…”
then…
I might have to do it again tomorrow, but that’s ok. My first goal is to seek first for the Kingdom and God’s righteousness.
Pray
God, fill our hearts and minds with the knowledge of Your love for us in Jesus Christ and let the peace of Christ indwell us. Amen
Go with God!
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