"And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing" - Mathew 6:28 (NIV).
Akio Morita, the founder of Sony Corporation, described his father as a "worrier"! In his biography, Made in Japan, he shared that his father could "worry for having nothing to worry about!"
For you see worry can become a habit. In today's leading verse the example of "lillies of the field" not worrying speaks to us as then; would if the lillies worried have any much effect on the course of their growth? Far from it all the worrying of theirs will not yield any much change.
When worry becomes a habit not only can it have little effect on the course of life but because it's largely a negative force it is draining. Worry saps energy and stifles creativity. A worrier can easily end up doing nothing but feeding on worries. When worry takes full grasp of one it can be insidious ultimately affecting other body organs, including weakening one's immunity against other diseases.
Yet, rather than exhaust oneself with needless worry perhaps the best counter effect is to calm oneself down and positively look for solutions. If a matter of concern has happened or is about to anyway, why not use one's time profitably in finding a practical way out.
One other reason why we should not waste our days in worry is because of the love of our Father in heaven. "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? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"' (Mathew 6: 26-27). Instead let us, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4).
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I put away worry from my life because you love and care for me, and will take care of whatever situation to your glory, this I pray in Jesus's name
Related upcoming events
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04/05/2024 - 05/05/2024 All day“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid nor be dismayed, for the Lord your good is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua, 1:9 NKJV)
Self doubt is common to any life. Sometimes it can be a result of a challenge one is about to face. After Moses had passed on, Joshua knew he was succeeding a giant to lead the people of Israel to the Promised land. When someone succeeds a great leader there is bound to be comparison, a bit of which might be unfair and disheartening. As we see in this case, the mission was yet to be completed. If anyone, Joshua wouldn’t mind some encouragement.
Joshua would receive the encouragement he needed from God. He was assured that God Himself had chosen him to succeed Moses and take on the uncompleted task. God assured Joshua through His word that He would be with him. Joshua had had enough experiences to know that God’s promise was unfailing. After Moses sent out the twelve spies to explore the land the Israelis were about to invade, he and Caleb were the only two who believed that because of faith in God they could overcome the giants they saw (Numbers 13).
Today, any of us may be facing a task no less overwhelming from our experience as Joshua faced. Perhaps we have taken on a momentous office. We could be setting on a journey of undetermined length. Maybe there is a challenge that has just risen up from nowhere and we seemed all submerged.
The words God gave Joshua, his servant, should be of encouragement to us. Just as God commanded Joshua not to be afraid or dismayed, may we walk in that confidence.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today whatever task I face, I look up to you, and hold on to the words you gave Joshua, not to be afraid or dismayed, for you are with me, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
