What Are You Worried About?
“Jesus said to his followers: “So I tell you, don’t worry about the food you need to live, or about the clothes you need for your body. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothes. Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest, they don’t have storerooms or barns, but God feeds them. And you are worth much more than birds.” Luke 12:22-24
In our fast-paced world today, it has become increasingly easy to worry about things. Between schoolwork, friends, extracurricular activities and our personal lives, life can feel unmanageable and overwhelming. Sometimes, we even wonder how we will make it through another day.
It doesn’t have to be this way. God yearns for us to cast all our anxieties on Him and be filled with His peace. He knows what we need, and He waits eagerly for us to open our hearts and be filled with His presence.
A few months ago, I was feeling anxious about things, and I made myself a cup of tea. As I watched the tea bag steep in the water, I thought, “What if I took a few moments to steep myself in God’s peace each morning?” As I sat and reminded myself of God’s promises, my worries subsided. God promises that all things work together for good (Romans 12:12), and that He has plans to give us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).
So what is worrying you today? Is it the fact that you are at a new school and haven’t found a new group of friends quite yet? Are you overwhelmed by schoolwork or a family situation? Has a relationship with a friend or family member gone awry? Are you struggling to love and accept yourself as God created you? Do you constantly compare yourself to others and feel like you are never good enough? God is waiting for you to bring all your worries to Him today. Don’t delay!
Practice: Make a list about all that is worrying you. At the beginning of every day, commit the list to God’s care by saying “God, I give this list to you.” Then, take a few moments to steep yourself in God’s peace and pray the following prayer: Lord, help me set my worries aside. Help me believe that You know what’s best for my life and that You have a perfect plan for my future.