Worry Warts

June 11

(Luke 12:22-28 NIV) ““Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. {23} Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. {24} Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! {25} Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? {26} Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? {27} "Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. {28} If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!””

(John 14:1 NIV) “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.”

Worry and anxiety are big business today. Billions of dollars are spent each year on prescription anti-anxiety medicine. Billions more are spent on non-prescription drugs and alcohol that directly relate to worrying about life -- yet our “Happy Hours” never seem to produce contentment or peace. We have become a nation of worry warts. We are addicted to worrying as much as we are to the medications we consume to help us cope. On the other hand, Jesus tells us not to worry because it is a pointless waste of time. We constantly fret about things that God provides for His creation on a regular basis. Are we not more important than sparrows, ravens, flowers, and grass? When Christ tells us not to worry, He is not encouraging sloth. God does not bless sloth, but He also does not bless anxiety. The Lord calls us to faith. Will you leave your fields of fret and go there with Him? Will you trust in God’s provision, or will you remain a worry wart? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day