Worry Is Not In The Job Description

Thursday Thankful Moments

Matthew 6. The whole chapter has been my lighthouse the past week.

Christmas is around the corner and it’s hard to not dwell on how we want things to be. The loved ones we want to see. The festivities we normally do that we can’t do. The places we need to not visit.

One thing, though? No limits on what we can eat, am I right?

Kidding. 2020 hasn’t been kind to the scale, so I for one am cutting back on sweets this month. And next.

Oh, look! A jube jube!

Counting our blessings is a great way to keep the right perspective in a time when all we want to do is hug all our people.

I didn’t realize it, but I think I actually am a bit of hugger. More than I thought anyway.

This time last year we were looking forward to 2020. This was going to be THE year.

It’s come about so different from what we thought it would, hasn’t it? There’s been so much loss for so many. So many adjustments for everyone.

As I look ahead to 2021, this is my scripture:

I’m claiming it, but I’ll share. There’s plenty of Matthew chapter six to go around.

We had no idea what 2020 would hold. And we don’t know what 2021 will hold either.

God does. But we don’t.

And you know what? He can handle it better than you and I can. 2021 will worry about itself. I can’t change one thing for 2021 by worrying.

Not. One. Thing.

Praying, though . . . that can change things.

Speaking blessing? Yep, that can change things.

Having a thankful heart? It’s amazing how finding things to be thankful for activates the heart of God. That’s been my experience, anyway.

I know, it’s easier said than done. I do. It’s been a tough year for many, and even harder for others.

Psalm 34:18 tells us that God is near to the broken hearted. We live in a fallen world with heartbreak and many things we don’t understand.

I don’t know a lot of things, but I do know this: God is faithful. And worrying does nothing for my today except steal joy and peace from it. It’s not my job to worry. Tomorrow will worry about itself.

I’m not going to hope for the best and plan for the worst.

And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”

Mark 9:23-25 NET

Those three words. Help my unbelief.

That’s a prayer we all need to pray often.

Sometimes all the prayer we can muster is, “Help.”

I’m so thankful He hears that small prayer. And I’m so thankful that He wants to carry our burdens and carry our worries so we don’t have to.

2021 just might surprise us.

A Moment of Worship

Further Reading

Matthew 6; Hebrews 11