...worry

"Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  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? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. 

They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 

So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

With everything happening in the world around us these days, it is only natural for people to start feeling a sense of worry and anxiety. Every night the news seems to state that there are more confirmed cases of the virus, schools remain closed, non-essential businesses have closed, and we are encouraged to stay home. 

In addition, going to the grocery store and seeing empty shelves can be a little concerning, especially when it has been going on for a couple weeks. We are living in a time where people are acting in panic, and although a pandemic can bring great uncertainty and worry, we can find peace in the midst of it.

Does this mean we should ignore the precautions our government has established? Not by any means. Romans 13:1-2 reminds us to be subject to the governing authorities because God has established them. We are wise to heed advice for preventive measures, but worry should not dominate us.

As Christians we have the certainty that God is faithful. He will provide all we need according to His will when we seek Him first. He cares for us and calls us to cast our anxiety (worry) on Him. Let us choose to trust the One who holds the future and may we actively live out our faith by being a presence of peace and generosity to others.

-dick innes