November 24, 2006

Don't Worry

Matthew 6:25-34

"Do not worry about ... what you will eat or drink; or about ... what you will wear. " Matthew 6:25

— 

We all worry--some of us more than others. A boy might worry about his grades, and a girl might worry about her looks. An investor is concerned about stocks and earnings, and a business manager watches the bottom line. A mother and father worry about their sick child or about a child who has gone astray. We worry about our medical health, the state of our world, our future--all kinds of things that we can't control.

When our youngest daughter was born, my wife nearly lost her life in childbirth. During the long hours of waiting, I didn't know if her life would be spared. I prayed some, and I worried a lot. It's sometimes hard to pray when you worry. That's why it's important to have people praying for you during tough times.

The Lord comes to us and gently says, "Do not worry ... Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" If God cares for the needs of birds and flowers, will he not care even more for his children? Our Lord calls us to seek his kingdom, living first for him and trusting that he will supply all our needs and more. Worry doesn't add any benefit to our lives. But trusting God and living for him leads to full, abundant life forever.

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks." Thank you that I can trust in you, Lord. Amen.

About the author — Jerry Hoytema

Pastor Jerry Hoytema is a retired minister living in Ontario. In his retirement he has served several churches as an interim pastor. He and his wife, Winnie, have four children and 13 grandchildren.

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