Are we stressed or blessed?

Matthew 6:34 (ESV)

Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

I used to be a real worry wart. Everything could be going perfectly, but I would still find something to worry about. In school I worried about test, tryouts, projects, if people liked me. If you could name it, I could worry about it. I remember days when I would literally make myself sick because I was so overwhelmed by worrying. All of that stress I put on myself took a toll on my health and joy. If only I would have listened to Jesus better in Matthew 6:25-34, I would have had more joy in my school years.

Matthew 6:25-34 talks about worry and how useless it is. Jesus tells us to look at the birds of the air or the lilies of the fields. Neither of them worry about food, drink, or clothing. Why? Because the Heavenly Father takes care of them. Jesus adds, “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” It sounds like a silly question now, but when I was younger, I thought worrying gave me more control of my life. Instead, the worrying controlled my life.

As I have grown older and hopefully wiser, I have learned that worrying does me no good. It makes me focus on the negative of life, what I don’t have or wish for, instead of focusing on the blessings God has poured out on me. If God is willing to take care of flowers and birds, why am I worried that he will not take care of His creation He made in His own image? God created us and He knows us inside and out. He knows the desires of our hearts and all the needs we have.

So take a leap of faith and trust in your Heavenly Father. “If God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you.

Dear Lord, help us give our worries and stress to You. You created everything, You are all knowing and in control. It is not easy to give You control of this area of our life, but we know You will do a better job than we could possibly do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.