This passage is not for me today, but for a friend, who is struggling so deeply...
"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 important than food, and the body more important 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? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies 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, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them." Matthew 6:25-32
Over the years I have learned not to doubt and worry because the Lord does answer. When I used to seriously wonder how my college fees would be provided, God answered. Gifts, loans, work... whatever - I was able to go through school. When the ATM machine swallowed my money, I fretted, but again God answered and four months later, all the money was returned. I can "worry" about what to cook, or finding clothes that I think look "good enough" or how my family is doing... but I have food, clothes and a family. When I heard that my funding was really low - I was worried about how I could really serve effectively when I'm living under-budget, but again, the Lord has provided. Why me? Why is it so easy for me to hear, see, and know that God is answering?
I have a dear friend here who struggles every day. She works full time for an NGO but there are times she (along with her family) goes to bed hungry, only taking black tea as a filler. Her job is being threatened because her education isn't high enough. The university where she is trying to get her Master's continues to set up cruel roadblocks. She is so down. She works hard everyday but money isn't enough for rent or food, clothes or school fees. Her faith is quickly declining as she becomes bitter with God. How can she not worry about tomorrow when her tomorrows have been almost 2 years now? I can sort of see how she is getting frustrated with God. How can she not worry? What is life - if you can't work, eat, host, support? Life is important in the eyes of God and so it is my prayer that He will touch her life!! She needs encouragement. She needs answers. She needs a light at the end of the tunnel.
Pray for me, as I strive to be an encouragement to this sweet friend.
"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 important than food, and the body more important 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? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies 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, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them." Matthew 6:25-32
Over the years I have learned not to doubt and worry because the Lord does answer. When I used to seriously wonder how my college fees would be provided, God answered. Gifts, loans, work... whatever - I was able to go through school. When the ATM machine swallowed my money, I fretted, but again God answered and four months later, all the money was returned. I can "worry" about what to cook, or finding clothes that I think look "good enough" or how my family is doing... but I have food, clothes and a family. When I heard that my funding was really low - I was worried about how I could really serve effectively when I'm living under-budget, but again, the Lord has provided. Why me? Why is it so easy for me to hear, see, and know that God is answering?
I have a dear friend here who struggles every day. She works full time for an NGO but there are times she (along with her family) goes to bed hungry, only taking black tea as a filler. Her job is being threatened because her education isn't high enough. The university where she is trying to get her Master's continues to set up cruel roadblocks. She is so down. She works hard everyday but money isn't enough for rent or food, clothes or school fees. Her faith is quickly declining as she becomes bitter with God. How can she not worry about tomorrow when her tomorrows have been almost 2 years now? I can sort of see how she is getting frustrated with God. How can she not worry? What is life - if you can't work, eat, host, support? Life is important in the eyes of God and so it is my prayer that He will touch her life!! She needs encouragement. She needs answers. She needs a light at the end of the tunnel.
Pray for me, as I strive to be an encouragement to this sweet friend.
The LORD knows... even in the storm, as the boat rocks and the tempest thrives, the LORD knows... even when it is easier said than done, but by faith... the LORD knows... Thank you Inac
ReplyDeleteSomeone once said "The LORD knows...". Even in the toughest of tempests, and as the storm rides hard, the LORD knows... I am praying for that person, and hope that He who knows, will perfect this person's life and truly manifest His compassion and power, according to the counsel of His will - for HE, the LORD knows... Amen
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