- Home /
- worry
Consider The Flowers
“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, 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, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!” Luke 12:27-28
I took this picture while walking through the streets of Xenacoj, Guatemala. As I walked, I passed homes built by cinder blocks and many homes built with cornstalks. Interacting with the people of Xenacoj as I made this journey gave me the opportunity to see this verse fleshed out. Most working people in the town make one or two dollars a day. They spend hours working in the fields or sewing clothing for companies like Hollister. They live on very little, and they have very little. What they have – they use, and what they use – they need.
Being home for a month (as of tomorrow), I’m back into the swing of things. I have my job to attend to and bills that need to be paid. It’s easy to fall back into the rat race of working hard, trying to prioritize finances, and wanting more. I need this verse today – just as much as the people of Xenacoj. Oh me of little faith!
What are you worrying about today? Have you stopped to realize that God cares for you?
Today, I’m hooking up with The Sunday Community. Hop on over here to see what I’m talking about.
When Stress and Anxiety Levels Overtake Me
There are times when stress and anxiety overtake me.
Yesterday was an incredibly busy and fairly stress day. I gave a job offer/promotion to one person on my team, and I had to tell four other people that they didn’t get the job. I had several people asking me for help in getting resources that were limited at the moment. And I had to do an exit interview for one of my indirect reports who decided they wanted to end their employment sooner than agreed. Meanwhile, I was straining to catch up on emails and to-do-list items that continue to build up. Honestly, I could feel the stress building up as the day progressed.
When time like this come I cherish scripture that reminds me to give my worry and anxiety to God. Here are a few of the verses I go back to at times like this:
“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? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers 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—you of little faith? 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. Matthew 6:25-34
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. I Peter 5:7
When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. Psalm 94:19
Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. Proverbs 12:25
As I reflect on my day, I lean on these verses as timely reminders to relax and to trust God for wisdom, authority, strength, and peace.
And now, I’m ready for a new day!
How do you deal with stress? What helps you when your anxiety levels begin to elevate?