What If? Part I: Don't Worry, Be Thankful
"Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' ...indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today."
—Matthew 6:31-34
What if…? These two little words have an immense amount of power over our lives. We make daily decisions based on them. The industries of financial planning, insurance, security systems, and the like are all dependent on you taking the time to imagine the dreadful possibilities, and then offer you a way to prepare for the worst.
There is nothing wrong with forethought and planning for the future, In fact, it is wisdom to make provision for your future. Sadly, many of us allow "What if?" to rule us like an oppressive dictator and not like a sage adviser. We can easily be driven from decision to decision out of fear of the future.
Jesus had very strong things to say about the place of worry in our lives. In the above passage he tells us not to worry about our basic physical needs, and in verse 27, he points that worrying accomplishes nothing. The efforts of our worry cannot even add a single hour to our lives. In Philippians 4:6, we are instructed that when "what if" tempts us to worry, the proper response is to lift the "what if" to God in prayer with thanksgiving.
What if? What if you and I trusted that God would provide for our needs? What if we believed that nothing could befall us that he did not see? What if we believed that God could take any situation and work it for our good and for His glory? What if we could plan for tomorrow without worrying about tomorrow? What if?
Homework this week: Examine your heart. Have you been driven by worry and fear? Make the moment-by-moment choice to lay your worries down by taking up prayer. Let the Peace of Christ rule in your hearts and minds.
—Matthew 6:31-34
What if…? These two little words have an immense amount of power over our lives. We make daily decisions based on them. The industries of financial planning, insurance, security systems, and the like are all dependent on you taking the time to imagine the dreadful possibilities, and then offer you a way to prepare for the worst.
There is nothing wrong with forethought and planning for the future, In fact, it is wisdom to make provision for your future. Sadly, many of us allow "What if?" to rule us like an oppressive dictator and not like a sage adviser. We can easily be driven from decision to decision out of fear of the future.
Jesus had very strong things to say about the place of worry in our lives. In the above passage he tells us not to worry about our basic physical needs, and in verse 27, he points that worrying accomplishes nothing. The efforts of our worry cannot even add a single hour to our lives. In Philippians 4:6, we are instructed that when "what if" tempts us to worry, the proper response is to lift the "what if" to God in prayer with thanksgiving.
What if? What if you and I trusted that God would provide for our needs? What if we believed that nothing could befall us that he did not see? What if we believed that God could take any situation and work it for our good and for His glory? What if we could plan for tomorrow without worrying about tomorrow? What if?
Homework this week: Examine your heart. Have you been driven by worry and fear? Make the moment-by-moment choice to lay your worries down by taking up prayer. Let the Peace of Christ rule in your hearts and minds.