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Lenten Devotions: Week Four
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The Value of Worry
by Kim Villalva
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25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?
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Oh, how this passage hits home! My 14-year-old son is in the throngs of middle-school worry as he tries to fit in. Spending time on his appearance is now a daily focus for him--be it lifting weights, trying to eat healthier or shopping for name brand shirts to liven up his spring wardrobe.
Unfortunately, these all too common teenage worries over food and clothing still follow us into our adult years. What foods should we eat to lose weight so we can fit into last year's summer clothes? How can we afford to eat all organic or vegetarian?
For too many families, even right here in Dayton, the worries go beyond healthy eating and stylish dressing to very serious struggles to put food on tables and to buy clothes for growing children.
Worrying is everywhere and no one is immune to the chokehold it can have on our lives. According to statistics, the average American spends five years of their life worrying. Five whole years!
Imagine all that we could fill those five years with
instead
of worry. We could pursue more dreams. Spend more time with family. We could get more sleep. Spend more time with a hurting friend. We could spend more time in God's word and grow closer to Him.
But instead, it is far too easy to give in to why the world says we should worry. From bad news to fitting in to job loss, it's what we know. And then the consequences of that worry? Lack of sleep. Compromising our immune system. Taking the joy out of our daily moments. The price of worry is high and Jesus knew this.
Today's Scripture reading is just the beginning of this worry over the food and clothing passage. Jesus gives us reasons to trust our Father including beautiful illustrations of nature to show just how important we are to Him. He assures us over and over why worrying is a waste of our lives.
When researching this verse, I was shocked to find so much written about giving up "worry" for Lent. We give up Facebook, junk food and other addictions in an effort to free up time in our schedules and make more space for God.
Do you need to make more time for God? Why not give up worry for the remainder of Lent? As of today's devotion, we are not quite halfway through Lent. Hear our Savior speaking directly to you as you insert your name in the blank below.
"Therefore I tell you, __________, do not worry about your life, what you will eat
or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear."
The assurance we crave for enough food and clothing to meet our needs can pull our focus from the cross. Jesus asks us,
"Is not life more than food?"
(Matthew 6:25). Take the remainder of this Lenten journey to ponder what more our lives could be if we surrendered worry to Him.
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Dearest Jesus, when our thoughts shift to worry about food or clothing,
remind us that this is a time of reflection in our lives. Show us how to put our complete faith in you for Lent, and beyond. Amen.
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Lenten Resources for Families
From Priscilla Stapleton and Sarah Richter
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Ritual/Tradition: Begin your time together in your family worship or devotion space. Light your candle and have a family member open with prayer. One way to think about your prayer time is to use the word PRAY as a guide. (P-is for Praise, praising God; R-is for repent, asking forgiveness; A-is for another, pray for another person; Y-yourself, pray for yourself).
Share: After praying, share your highs and lows for the week. Allow each family member to share his or her thoughts, feelings or observations from the week. Be mindful that sharing in a loving, safe and non-judgmental manner is important, so your child will feel comfortable opening up about thoughts and feelings.
This is also a good time to read the entries in your family's 40 Day Lenten Journal. Hopefully, everyone had a chance to write down something that can be shared during this time together.
Read/Reflection: Matthew 6: 25-27 Do not worry about what you eat or drink.
This is one of the most powerful lessons that Jesus taught at the Sermon on the Mount. He was instructing his followers to not worry about their life. Do not worry about the basic necessities of life; food and clothing. Jesus makes a very humble comparison by asking the people to "look at the birds of the air," they don't worry about where their next meal is coming from nor do they worry about storing away food. "Yet your heavenly Father feeds them." Then Jesus asks, "Are you not much more valuable than they are?" You see birds flying around, no cares in the world, just having a wonderful time flying, soaring, reaching for the stars, no agenda, no thinking, "my nest is better than your nest." Just free flying. Jesus uses that word picture to help his followers understand the simple notion that if God can supply all the needs of the birds in the air, do you not think that God will supply all your needs? No need to worry, God's got this all under control.
It was never God's intent for his people to feel anxious, worried or in distress. Although those are all common feelings and emotions that each of us possess, God does not want our lives to be filled with worry. Jesus goes on to say, "Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?" Of course, we can be concerned about our daily needs, but God tells us that we need not worry. He will supply all our needs. As a believer, God is already at work in your life. He knows your every need and will provide for you. He will take care of all your needs. Your life has meaning and purpose, and God has a plan in place for each one of his followers.
Philippians 4:19 says,
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And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." God did not send his son to die on the cross for the sake of the birds in the air. He gave us His only son so that we might have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10)
God values each one of his followers, and will take care of them. We can be assured of this truth, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid." (John 14:27) No need to spend your life worrying about things that you have no control over; the only thing you can control is your attitude towards your life.
Activity: Create a Worry-Free Jar
What you will need:
- a large jar, basket or other small container
- blank paper
- pens or pencils
Have each family member write down a worry, fear or concern for the week. For children, it may be concern about an upcoming test or school project, a sporting event, or a theatrical performance. A parent may be concerned about a major work event or an overnight business trip. Your family may also have some health concerns. Whatever the concern is, write it down on a piece of paper and put it in the "Worry- Free Jar."
After each family member has placed their concern in the jar, repeat the following together:
So we can say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?"
(Hebrews 13:6)
Release all your fears and worries, and remember that God will supply all your needs. Your job is to trust that He is in control and will guide you through whatever circumstances you are in as long as you place your faith and trust in Him.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for this time together. We ask that you forgive us for not trusting in your provisions. We know that you will provide for all our needs, and we thank you for always being there for us. We ask that you bless our families' worries, help us to know that we can trust you with all our concerns. Guide and direct us to your truths and help us to remember that you are always with us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Blessing:
"Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine,
This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long"
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We love Jesus by serving others
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