Word for the Day January 3
By: Evang. Cascille Hammack
“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?" Matthew 6:25
So much precious time is wasted when we worry
and we can never get that time back. Jesus said in Matthew 6:31-34, "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."
Worry is
a huge waste of time. It is damaging to our spirits and our physical health.
Worry is the opposite of trust. We must trust
God and have faith in Him in all circumstances. Replace worrying with prayer. Each time you begin to worry, stop
and present the situation to the Lord. Philippians 4:6,7 instructs, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Jesus said in Matthew 6:26,27, "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? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"
When we keep our eyes focused on the Lord instead of on ourselves, we remember
His love for us and because of His great love for us we have nothing to worry about. He has a plan for each
of our lives. Part of His plan includes taking care of us. Make a commitment to not worry. All of the
energy worrying can be put to better use in prayer. If you begin to worry, stop and pray and lift your burden to the
Lord. Remember 1 Peter 5:7, "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."