What a weird, wacky, and interesting time we’re living in. This is what, week four of social isolation? I’m not sure, I’m starting to lose track! Anyways, I just want to send a word of encouragement your way.
It’s just a short thought and I hope you can get something out of it!
Right now there’s a lot of uncertainty, fear, anxiety, and worry. For most of us we’ve never been in a situation like this before. Our lives have been relatively peaceful and absent of extremely difficult hardship. So this is defiantly a shock to the system.
Yet in all the chaos and confusion, God’s word provides us with hope, comfort, and assurance.
For me one passage that is constantly coming back to mind is in Matthew chapter 6.
Jesus literally tells us not to worry and in these words I love what he tells us to focus on.
Let's have a read:
25 “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? 26 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? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 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? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Look at verse 26 and verse 28. What does Jesus tell to look at? To look at the birds. To look at the fields, look at the flowers. Essentially we’re being called to look back at His creation. I think a lot of peace and hope can be found when we take time to sit back and reflect in God’s creation.
Recently I got chickens, and I’ve made it a practice to go outside each day and spend some times observing them. They don’t seem to have a worry or care in the world, they just enjoy each day as it comes, and wait eagerly for the food I drop. As I sit and watch them I reminded of this passage and as I sit, I take in more of the sights and sounds of what’s going on around me. I can hear the birds chirping and I can see the beauty in the flowers, and it reminds me of how good God is. When I see just how much care has gone into His creation, it reminds me of how much He cares for me.
The birds and the flowers are probably some of the most vulnerable in creation. They can’t protect themselves, yet God cares for them! Like this passage says, as humans we have more value than them so we can take comfort knowing we are loved and cared for by God.
Just like my chickens are dependent upon me to provide for them each and everyday, we need to be dependent on God to provide for us.
I also want to encourage you, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, fearful, or worried. Go outside, spend a few moments looking around you taking in the sights and sounds of creation. Maybe even go for walk and just take a moment to be still.
In that moment ask God to fill you with the peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil 4:7)
To take away those burdens that are worrying you and giving you anxiety (1 Peter 5:7)
It is my hope and prayer that you find encouragement during this challenging time. I want you to know that God cares, God loves you, and God values you.
If you need prayer or want to chat feel free to reach out!
All the best. I miss you and can’t wait to see you!
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