Day 2: Do Not Worry

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies 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, O 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.
Matthew 6: 25-34

Reflection:

How deeply personal is this message from Jesus to us. How simple and natural for Christ to use the birds in the air and the lilies of the field to make his enduring point: that God will take care of us.

God knows what we need, better than we know it ourselves. And, just as the most insignificant of God’s creation are taken care of, so, too, shall we be.

So, why then worry? Jesus asks his followers. Can we add one hour to our lives by worrying? Are we able to influence something that is out of our control? Let tomorrow worry about tomorrow.

There are so many rich lessons within this simple narrative that we would do well to remember. Don’t be a slave to your material desires, but seek to be a good and faithful person. Live in the moment and do not be consumed over what the future holds. The same God who takes care of the least among us will surely continue to care for you and I.

Activity:

Take a moment to do a “physical inventory” of yourself. What happens when you feel stressed or anxious? Do you clench your stomach muscles or make a fist? Are your shoulders tense and is your breath quicker and more shallow? Do you knit your brow?

Alternatively, how do you feel when you are free from worry and stress? Are you breathing deeply – inhaling and exhaling fully? Is your body loose and relaxed? Are your mind and your heart at ease?

Our bodies hold answers to our spiritual wellbeing. Make a point of checking in with yourself during the day to take this “physical inventory.” If you find yourself showing the physical signs of worry and anxiety, take a break. Settle yourself and let your worry go.

Question:

Make a short list of the things that worry you. Then examine this list and ask yourself if there is anything you can do about any of the items you’ve listed. If so,write this down as a step towards further action. If there is nothing you can do, then cross this off of your list of things to worry about.