REDUCE ANXIETIES BY BEING THANKFUL THAT GOD PROVIDES WHAT WE NEED

BIBLE PASSAGE:
“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. 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 6:28-34)

MEDITATION:
Do you ever wonder why we become stressed? Isn’t it because we
think our needs (and wants) are not going to be met? We say,
“I’m not going to have what I need or want!” and when we don’t
get them, we begin to worry and stress.

Jesus tells us not to worry about the necessities of life. In order
to reduce worry and stress, we need to change our focus. Our
vision can become blurred between our needs and our wants.
As a result, we can develop a mindset that our wants are really
our needs.

Instead of focusing on ‘our wants’, we follow the advice we are given
in scripture to ‘seek first His kingdom and His righteousness’. When
we can accomplish this, we start developing a confidence that our
God will meet all our needs.

In addition, we discover that our wants are not really as important
as we think they are. When we can shift “our wants” to “God’s
desires for us” it changes our outlook on the future, and our
satisfaction with what we have and where we are right now.

Any time we can start appreciating how God has blessed us,
we can begin viewing things from His perspective…and that
is a good thing! The problem is, most of us struggle with
‘turning loose’ of our ‘wants’.

Why is that? Isn’t it because we don’t think we can find
satisfaction with what the Lord provides for us?

Think about that for a moment. We think that the God who
made us and knows us better than we know ourselves, cannot
provide what will please us. How does that thought make any
sense?

What are our basic needs? Food, water, clothing and shelter, right?
Has God provided those necessities? Yes He has! Look at the roof
over your head, the clothes in your closet, the availability of water,
and the food in your pantry and refrigerator.

Hasn’t He proven that He can meet our needs? Of course He has!
If He can fulfill our needs, then certainly He can give us the things
we need for enjoying life as well.

More than likely what God provides for enjoyment of living will be
different than what we think will bring happiness and satisfaction.
Why is that? It is because we have been ‘programmed’ by the media
and society.

The problem is, whenever we try what we are ‘told’ will make us
happy, it is usually short-lived. We may find something that gives
us momentary pleasure, but what we really need is a long-lasting,
satisfying happiness.

ACTION:
God tells us in his Word that if we will strive to ‘seek His kingdom
and His righteousness’, then we will be blessed with the things we
need. So, our challenge is to read, pray, and discover the things
that God considers righteous, and to learn what He expects from
those who want to be a part of His kingdom (heaven).

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for how you provide for
all of my needs, and for Your assurance that You will
provide what will help me to enjoy this life more, and
to grow closer to You. When things seem overwhelming,
remind me of Your presence so that I will not be burdened
with worries and fears. You are the God of everything and
I praise You for your love, goodness, grace, and mercy!”

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