“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?” Matthew 6.26
January 9, 2025
“Not to worry.” Those three words have worked their way through our extended family. They come straight from Jesus. He teaches His followers that worry is a waste and gives seven reasons for “not to worry.” In the first place because of God’s perfections. Worry is a symptom of idolatry. It is failing to count on God to take care of every need we have. Fretting about such things as food and clothing betrays the loss of faith and the perversion of more valuable commitments. For example, “look at the birds.” They look like they are always busy doing something. But they find what they are looking for, food. God’s creation testifies to His providence. Birds cannot plan ahead. But they have no reason to worry. What about us. We are endowed with intelligence. We can plan for the future. Not to worry. God is in control. Of course this does not exempt us from the responsibility to work (2 Thess. 3:10). Adult birds are not lazy. They work for a living. Worry is fear in the absence of real danger. It is taking today’s concerns and projecting them on tomorrow. “Lord, teach me to live without the burden of worry.”
H
Reflection: Diagnostic questions:
“Am I in debt? Do I rarely leave home? Will I ever find a spouse? Do I have any real friends? What about my health? Some of my friends are dying of cancer. Is that going to be me?”