Devotion - Monday April 20 - Fighting Worry and Uncertainty Part 1

Bible: But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. - Matt 6:33-34 (CSV)

Devotion: Most of us have much more time on our hands during this COVID-19 quarantine than normal. My evenings, normally filled with running four kids around to soccer and one to volleyball and keeping the social calendar for my wife and six kids, are all of a sudden freed up. The busyness of life is a sort of background noise that often drowns out the sound of worry. However, in this season, I have time to worry. On top of that, there is much uncertainty in the world to worry about. Will I get sick? Will my family stay healthy? What about other loved ones? Will I lose my job? Will our economy ever recover? How are we going to pay back these debts? Will this lead to inflation? How does this affect my retirement? (I don’t mean to add things to your list to worry about.)

Then I remember what Scripture says, that I should not worry about tomorrow because “tomorrow will worry about itself.” Worry is my lack of faith that I have a good Father who loves me and provides for me. Philippians 4:6 tell us not to be anxious about anything but through prayer to present our requests to God. We have a loving Father that not only loves and provides for us but will listen to our concerns.

Spend some time studying Matthew chapter 6 and come back on Wednesday for part 2 in this week’s devotional series.  

Questions:

1. What are you worried about?
2. From Matthew 6, what “things” are provided for you if you seek first the kingdom of God? 
3. What does Matthew say in Matt 6:25-32 about the birds and the wildflowers?
4. How does Matthew refer to God in this passage?