Matthew 6:26-27 (NIV)
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?

Reflection:
I had a recent conversation with friends about sleep habits: what it takes to help us fall asleep, how many times we wake up in the middle of the night, etc. One friend spoke about needing absolute silence. Another friend listed off the best shows on Netflix to watch before bedtime. I explained how my nighttime ritual frequently features me stressing over having to be alone with my thoughts.

This may sound crazy, but if I did not need sleep, I do not think I would. Living like a vampire and having an additional seven hours in my day to do anything I wanted sounds much more appealing. If I am to be completely honest, though, my true desire to be free of sleep stems from the wish to not worry.

In closing my eyes, I involuntarily begin making a list: regrets from the past, overdue tasks of the present, and concerns for the future. Some nights, it is easier to fend off these demons – journaling or reading helps me tremendously. But other times, I am my own worst enemy, failing to conquer my inner voice of shame and doubt and fear.

If I am unable to logic my way out of despair or distract myself to the point of exhaustion, what hope do I have for peace? The solution lies in the teachings of Jesus. God sent his son to live among us, to be both fully divine and fully human. Jesus witnessed firsthand the dark depths of the human mind and told us exactly what we need to hear in Matthew 6:34: “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Our modern world is marked by trouble: disease, injustices, and loss are an everyday reality. Jesus is not saying anxiety does not exist, but rather we are not responsible for carrying its burden. Just as the Israelites were instructed to only gather enough manna for that day, so we are called to limit our daily worries.

In my moments of quiet, I often pray a mantra Dr. Pace once told our congregation: “Lord, help me to remember I do not have to solve all my problems today.” My heavenly Father cares for the birds of the sky, therefore I should not waste one more hour worrying because he cares for me, too.

Closing Prayer:
Dear Lord, please grant me your peace. Comfort me in times of worry, and help me be a faithful follower of you in all your wisdom. Let me be vulnerable in sharing my struggles with you, resting easy in the promise of your love. Amen.