Kristin Reynolds, Advancement Chair, Children’s Council member, Member since 2000
Matthew 6:25-27 (NIV)

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 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? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

Reflection:

In December of 2019, my husband and I made the decision to move our twins to a new school. As we embarked on the process, the seeds of worry started to grow. How would our kids adjust to the big change we thrust upon them? Would they make new friends? Would both get into the same school? Would it be the right fit? On, and on, and on. At some point along the way, I started to take to heart Jesus’ teachings about worry, and Matthew’s account of the Sermon on the Mount became one of my go-to scriptures when I felt the burden of all my doubts.   

Throughout the Bible, Jesus specifically gives us reasons not to worry. In Matthew 6:25-27, he gives us the good news that because God created each of us we can trust him completely with all the details and concerns of our lives. Furthermore, Matthew 6:31-33 explains to us that by worrying we are not actually producing anything. Worrying doesn’t move us forward in faith or even in life. Worrying is not a requisite for discipleship. God takes care of that which is perishable- birds, flowers, etc. God will certainly take care of the ones whom he died to save.

Who can forget the catchy song, Don’t Worry Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin that came out in the ’90s? He sings of having trouble in life and when we worry we make it worse, and all we need to do is just don’t worry, be happy. While it’s easy to find hundreds of inspirational songs and quotes about why we shouldn’t worry, the Bible is the one true place that gives us refuge from our apprehensions. Through this trial the words of this passage came alive for me in this season of worry. God is present and cares.

At times it is not easy to place all of our concerns and doubts in God’s hands, but take heart and know that is exactly what God wants us to do. When we are able to trust God, an amazing sense of God’s peace will fill our lives. 

Prayer: 

Dear Lord, some days the worries and doubts feel overwhelming and I thank you for always being there to take them from me. I trust in you to take care of the details and provide all that I need. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.