Devotional: May 16, 2022

“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.”

Matthew 6: 34 The Message

There are plenty of things we can worry about. Recently, I was listening to an economist rating the chances we would soon slip into a recession. We can also worry about our health, or the health of those we care for, our political arena, our environment, and social challenges. I’m sure you could come up with a few more things to fuss over. The point is that there is no shortage of things to worry about. It is possible to indulge ourselves and allow worry, fear, anxiety, and a sense of helplessness to control us.

However, Jesus calls us away from a life of constant worry and anxiety. He encourages us to focus in on what God is doing right now.

He reminded his followers to look at how the birds of the air do not store up food, and yet God takes care of them. He reminds us that we are much more valuable to God than birds. Therefore, God will always take care of us.

The other day, I came across an instructive picture. It contained a large circle labeled “Things I Worry About”. Within that circle was a significantly smaller circle labeled, “Things that Can Happen.” Finally, within that smaller circle was a small dot, labeled, “Things that ‘Do’ Happen”.

The point of the diagram is that the vast majority of what we worry about is not going to happen. In fact, there are a good deal of things we worry about which are not even in the realm of possibilities! In other words, much of our anxiety is anchored in our fears, rather than in reality.

Jesus encourages us to remember two fundamental truths:

First, much of what we worry about may not happen. Therefore, it is pointless to worry about it.

Second, whatever does happen, even if it is hard, we will never face it alone. God promises that He will be there with us.

Remembering God’s constant presence, His love, and His power helps my fears, my anxieties, and my worries to melt away… Remember, no matter what, God is, and will always be here to help us.

Prayer

Lord of all,

Help me in my faith. Protect me and teach me to not give into my fears and worries. Forgive me when I yield my emotions to things that You already have under control. Remind me to focus upon You, Your promises, and Your call upon my life. Be my island of peace, in my storm of worries. Let me cling to You, so that my worries will wash away. I pray this prayer in Your Holy name. Amen.