A Worried Mind

Matthew 6:28-34

“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."

Are you a worrier? I believe many of us are. We spend much of our day worried about our jobs and our bills and the list of things that need fixed on the house. The list of what we worry about could go on and on.

But Jesus tells us not to worry. When he tells us not to worry in these verses, he attaches it to something important. He says that instead of worrying, we should seek the kingdom and righteousness of God. Could it be that when we run around full of worry, that we fail to participate in God's kingdom? That we fail to try and be like Christ, living in the grace and truth that he offers?

So, the result of worry, isn't just poor sleep, gray hair, ulcers, overeating, (add your own). The most eye opening result is that we miss out on the kingdom work of God. May it never be!

Let us walk with confidence knowing that God sees us and will provide for us. Here is a beautiful prayer form St. Patrick asking for God to walk with us this day:

I arise today

Through the strength of heaven;

Light of the sun,

Splendor of fire,

Speed of lightning,

Swiftness of the wind,

Depth of the sea,

Stability of the earth,

Firmness of the rock.

I arise today

Through God's strength to pilot me;

God's might to uphold me,

God's wisdom to guide me,

God's eye to look before me,

God's ear to hear me,

God's word to speak for me,

God's hand to guard me,

God's way to lie before me, 

God's shield to protect me,

God's hosts to save me

Afar and anear,

Alone or in a mulitude.

Christ shield me today

Against wounding

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,

Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ on my right, Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,

Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

Christ in the eye that sees me,

Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today

Through the mighty strength

Of the Lord of creation.

Where do you need less worry and more kingdom today?