Don’t Worry About Your Life | Luke 12:29-34
Welcome to Real Life. “Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.” –Corrie Ten Boom
Will I have enough? Can I make the mortgage payment, cover medical expenses, save for retirement, pay down the loan, gas and repair the car, and still buy groceries? It’s a constant concern. Daily, the cost of living increases. Since the economic meltdown, few feel financially secure.
What if I don’t have enough? Someone close to me lost her home through the economic crisis. Recently, she told me, “It felt like the end of the world. I couldn't imagine how we’d survive. I resented the small, cramped home we found to rent. Yet, here I am (a couple of years later). I survived. We (the family) are okay. I've adjusted. I don’t even mind living in our new place. I’m comfortable there. It’s home.” Now, she’s able to encourage others who are in danger of losing their homes. She’s my hero!
Jesus told his disciples,
Birds don’t have pantries or barns. Yet, God feeds them. We’re much more valuable to him than a sparrow. Flowers don’t labor to afford fine clothing. Yet, not even an actress on Oscar night is arrayed as elegantly as God dresses a rose.
Does worrying help, anyway? Can it add even one hour to my life? So, why do I do it? The cure for worry is to switch focus:
Real Life consists of more than the stuff I need, want, and accumulate. Like a spring tulip, my existence on earth is brief. How important is a dream home, haute cuisine, and designer fashions in light of eternity?
Because God's kingdom will last forever, none of the time, money or energy I invest in it is ever wasted. Rather than steadily expanding my kingdom with newer, bigger, and better, I can downsize. I can sell my stuff and give to the poor. Generosity opens the heart. It breaks the grip of greed. It gets my focus on someone other than myself.
And, when I make God—his presence, his will, his ways—my priority, he promises to take care of my needs. My loved one lost her home. But, she survived. She has food to eat, clothes to wear, and a roof over her head. Recently, she told me, “I really enjoy praying.” Where your treasure is, there your heart will be.
Taking it further …
Image: One of my friend, Chris Lewicki's award winning roses.
Will I have enough? Can I make the mortgage payment, cover medical expenses, save for retirement, pay down the loan, gas and repair the car, and still buy groceries? It’s a constant concern. Daily, the cost of living increases. Since the economic meltdown, few feel financially secure.
What if I don’t have enough? Someone close to me lost her home through the economic crisis. Recently, she told me, “It felt like the end of the world. I couldn't imagine how we’d survive. I resented the small, cramped home we found to rent. Yet, here I am (a couple of years later). I survived. We (the family) are okay. I've adjusted. I don’t even mind living in our new place. I’m comfortable there. It’s home.” Now, she’s able to encourage others who are in danger of losing their homes. She’s my hero!
Jesus told his disciples,
“Don’t worry about your life,
what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.”
Birds don’t have pantries or barns. Yet, God feeds them. We’re much more valuable to him than a sparrow. Flowers don’t labor to afford fine clothing. Yet, not even an actress on Oscar night is arrayed as elegantly as God dresses a rose.
Does worrying help, anyway? Can it add even one hour to my life? So, why do I do it? The cure for worry is to switch focus:
Seek his kingdom and these things will be given to you as well.
Real Life consists of more than the stuff I need, want, and accumulate. Like a spring tulip, my existence on earth is brief. How important is a dream home, haute cuisine, and designer fashions in light of eternity?
Because God's kingdom will last forever, none of the time, money or energy I invest in it is ever wasted. Rather than steadily expanding my kingdom with newer, bigger, and better, I can downsize. I can sell my stuff and give to the poor. Generosity opens the heart. It breaks the grip of greed. It gets my focus on someone other than myself.
Dearest Lord, you are my treasure.
- The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn.
- "Don't Worry, Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin.
Image: One of my friend, Chris Lewicki's award winning roses.
Hi My Dear,
ReplyDelete"Where your treasure is, there your heart will be" is a hard pill to swallow. As a Christian, I believe God will supply all of my needs, but even I have to admit there are times when it gets mighty scary and I hoard things that I buy not because I need them but because I am afraid to give them away.
So, I am learning to let go of things, as I step out in faith and trust God.
Thank you for your encouragement.
Shalom,
Patricia
Hi dear Friend,
DeleteIt is a constant struggle for balance with me. Proverbs says that the wise save for times of difficulty. But, at what point is it hoarding? We have so much in the western world. Yet, it's easy to long for more and better.
My loved one's situation has been a huge faith builder for me!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Patricia. Love you, Friend!