Matthew 6:34 – Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (NKJV)

Most people in my Bible class at the Meaford Long Term Care Centre have worries. Some are unable to get around without help; others are having trouble remembering. There are those who worry about their families and, in some cases, their spouses from whom they are separated. Some worry about the fact that the life that they were so used to is a thing of the past, never to return again. The fear of death is a reality to some of them. When they express their concerns to me, it is really easy for me to quote some Bible passages:

Psalm 46:1-2a – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear. (NKJV)

Psalm 23:4 – Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me. (NKJV)

Matthew 11:28 – Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (NKJV)

But I have to be honest with you: I don't always practice what I preach (or write). I am known in my family as a worrier. My daughter gave me a plaque one time which says, "Don't worry — it may never happen." Indeed, most of the things that I worry about don't happen.

In Luke 10 is the story of Jesus visiting His friends Martha and Mary. He showed up unexpectedly it seems, and Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She needed to decide what to have for dinner, go to the market, prepare the food, cook the meat, and entertain their guest — a hundred things to do. But Mary was sitting at Jesus' feet, not worrying about a thing, just listening to Him. Finally in desperation, she asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her, and Jesus answered, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:41-42 NKJV)

Martha was so busy worrying about the problems that she thought were facing her all of a sudden that she thought she did not have time to "choose the good part" — that is listening to and believing in Jesus.

When we worry about "things", we have a tendency to forget that God is there for us, that we can come to Him in prayer, and that He will hear our prayers. Every time we worry about something, we need to remind ourselves of that very fact.

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we pray that in all the busyness of life, we will take the time to put our worries aside and listen to Your voice in our hearts and minds. We ask it in Jesus' name. Amen.

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About the author:

Joel Jongkind <austria67@bmts.com>
Meaford, Ontario, Canada
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