Scripture: Matthew 6:25-27 (NIV) – “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?”

Message: "Worry is like a rocking chair: it gives you something to do but never gets you anywhere." Erma Bombeck.¹

Every day when we awake we are faced with the risks and challenges inherent in life. For some folks, their lives are filled with worry as they wake up late for an important meeting, or missing an early morning flight, or the well-being of their children, family or friends, or a health issue, or financial security, or relationships, or COVID-19 and the list goes on and on. While the Bible tells us that God wants us to take personal responsibility, He also tells us that by worrying we cannot add a single hour to our life. In Matthew 6:34 (NIV) He says "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Thus, we find comfort, strength and support in dealing with our worries only by turning them over to God and relying on His Word.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love, care and guidance. Let us be ever mindful that You have told us in Isaiah 41:10 (NIV), "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Amen.

Philip Kopman

1.  Bombeck. Title of a journaling booklet published in 2019 Copyright © by Standard Booklets.

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