DO NOT BE ANXIOUS
Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, yours is the peace that passes understanding. Grant me that peace that comes from being centered on you.
Read LUKE 12:22-34
Do Not Worry
22 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 For 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 your life[a]? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
27 “Consider how the wild flowers 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—you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Footnotes
- Luke 12:25 Or single cubit to your height
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Think of the most beautiful scene in nature that you’ve experienced and thank God for all he has created and sustains.We live in an anxious world, full of unknowns and things over which we have no control, and sometimes, a command not to be anxious (v 22) can feel overwhelmingly unattainable.
But Jesus was not speaking from an ivory tower. After all, he spent his life talking to different people with various worries, concerns, and ailments. In this passage, he recognizes that we might worry about food, drink, and clothes (vs 23, 29), or our lifespan (v 25). His tone is not chastising. In fact, he points us to a tender God who feeds birds (v 24) and delights in simple things like flowers and grass (vs 27, 28).
Our Father is a God who loves and values us (v 24), and knows what we need (v 30). So instead of being anxious, we are to aim to seek God and care for others (vs 31-34). As Paul prayed for his brothers and sisters in Christ, ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit’ (Romans 15:13).
Apply
Are there worrisome things that you are facing, anxious thoughts that keep you from sleep? With what things can you replace them?
Closing prayer
Holy Spirit, fill my mind and heart with those things that concern you, with the assurances in Scripture that speak of God’s love and care.
Book and Author Intros
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