Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? (Matthew 6:25)
In the time of Christ, the cares of this world were more
basic than they are in my life. I seldom worry about having enough water, food,
or clothes to wear. However, as Chambers says, there are other things that try
to choke the life of Christ in His people such as: time or lack of time;
friends or lack of friends; or more to the point right now for me: difficult
circumstances. Actually, the cares of this world are a steady trickle all the
time. Without the Spirit of God to block my sinful responses, they would become
a flood.
Like every issue of life, Jesus offers Himself as the
solution. Even though common sense insists that I must consider the cares of
this world, He says — “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,
and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)
In other words, if there is any competition for my
thoughts, plans, energies, I’m to put my relationship with God in first place.
For me, this begins with morning devotions. I may not post what God says to me
until later in the day, but my day begins in the Bible and with prayer. My intention
is to let those thoughts be on my mind for the rest of the day.
This passage ends with a thought about the importance of
this daily routine. Jesus says — “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own
trouble.” (Matthew 6:34)
How true. I’ve a husband in the hospital, a dental
appointment, and a host of other things on my to-do list and on the back
burner. I could spend the day worrying about all that, and about what I can get
done tomorrow or before the week is over, but today has enough to deal with. If
it stresses me, He says this:
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4–7)
When my heart is thankful, in prayer, and at peace, no
matter what comes along I am able to hear the Spirit of God. He will tell me
what to think, say, or do, and sometimes He deals with or even removes the
issues before I notice them.
Last night it was raining. I didn’t have an umbrella. (After
all, it is January in Alberta) My car was parked at the far end of the hospital
lot. When I stepped outside, the rain stopped. I walked to my vehicle, got in,
and the rain started up again. Do not be anxious about anything — His eye is on
this sparrow . . .
Another doctor came in to see Bob this afternoon. He is a
specialist who diagnosis tough cases. He had dozens of questions and comments, then
ordered some new tests and was a huge encouragement. The puzzle remains: why
can’t Bob breathe without being hooked up to oxygen? Why does he have blisters
on his lips? Why is he coughing without bringing up anything? What is causing
these and other symptoms? So far, there are no answers. At least the fever, sweats
and weakness has cleared up. My prayer is that this doctor is given wisdom to
solve the other puzzles.
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