“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 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.”

Matthew 6:25-34

Does anyone else think that last verse is less than comforting? It guarantees trouble but asks me to somehow not worry about my troubles today or the troubles I see coming.

Almost two weeks ago I learned about something that will probably have negative effects on my whole family. It was big enough to send most people reeling, trying to scramble for a quick solution. I admit, that was my first response, but this time it only lasted for a few days.

I’m a worrier by nature. I like to find something that will fix each problem, but when I can’t think of a possible resolution, I fall deeper into worry with each scenario my mind conceives.

 

That is just is not the case this time. You see, I am a mother to 5 children. My newest love is only 8 weeks old. I’m in the how-do-I-survive-each-day stage. Maybe survive is more negative of a word than I’m looking for. Consumed? I am so consumed with all of the little troubles that fill my day. Will the baby wait 3 hours between feedings today? Will he wake up one less time tonight than the night before?  Will we eat dinner on time with a fussy toddler and baby under my feet? Will we complete our school agenda today? This is where my time and thoughts are focused.

I’m so busy trying to get through each day, that I find at the end of the day I haven’t thought much about this new problem, let alone prayed about it. Is there grace for that? Will I see God lead us through it in an amazing way even if I’m not praying us through? I’m not helping my husband look for a solution. I’ve been in a spiritual wilderness for quite awhile now. My mind says if I spend time praying about this and searching for answers, then God can bless our efforts and bring us to the other side faster.

These verses seem to say something different. Usually when I pray about a trial it’s because I’m consumed with worry, and I’m continually asking God to get us through so my heart can be at peace. I’m not so much asking for wisdom about each next step, as I am begging for relief or a quick resolution. I’m not worrying much this time. Even if it’s for less than spiritual reasons, I think this mindset I have makes me freer to see God move and carry out His plan, because I’m not searching for a solution in the midst of my worry.

 So in the midst of being consumed with the little things, I find that I am living out the “do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” with such grace and peace that can only come from God!