Today’s Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:5-7:6; Luke 6:37-42; Matthew 7:7-20; Luke 6:43-45; Matthew 7:21-29; Luke 6:46-49
Do you ever feel that your thinking is working against you?
In today’s reading Jesus told us there were three things we needed to stop worrying about. Three things that make us look like unbelievers. Three things that make us look like we don’t trust our Heavenly Father.
Jesus said,
“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. –Matthew 6:31-34
Maybe I’m the only person this speaks to but these three areas take up a lot of my thinking time.
I’m either going to the store for food, cooking food, cleaning up from cooking food, wishing I hadn’t ate something, reading about the negative effects of today’s food on my body or griping because food costs so much.
Yes, that goes for drinking too. One day I’m quitting coffee and just drinking tea, the next day I’m going organic all the way and then several times a year I vow to quit it all and just drink water, but what kind of water? Tap, bottled, filtered, spring?
Oh, and let’s not forget clothes. I have a couple of speaking opportunities in the next couple of weeks. I can’t tell you how much I think, analyze and plan what I should wear. I want to look professional, relatable, warm, friendly, and youthful but not trendy. AND, I want to do all this with the clothes I already have in my closet. Geez!
The thing that really got me about today’s scripture were these words:
These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. –Matthew 6:32
I’m thinking like an unbeliever. I’m thinking like someone who doesn’t know Christ.
I can just imagine how my Heavenly Father must feel; the same way I would feel when I had all my children’s needs covered and they were still worrying. It would make me feel like they don’t trust me.
The great thing about this scripture passage is God gave us replacement thoughts.
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. –Matthew 6:33
I’m pretty sure I still have to make a grocery list and make a trip to the store, have plenty of water to drink, and pick out an outfit for my next speaking engagement, but Jesus says, I don’t have to obsess over any of it.
So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. –Matthew 6:34
Heavenly Father, forgive me for worrying about the day-to-day details more that I seek Your Kingdom. Lord, help me to make wise choices in what I eat, drink, and wear. I thank you for your provisions.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen and Amen!
© 2012 Dianne Guthmuller
Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-17; Matthew 11:1-19; Luke 7:18-35; Matthew 11:20-30; Luke 7:36-50
