Luke 12:22-32
“And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
“The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
“Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
“And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
“If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
“Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
“If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
“And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
“For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
“But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
“Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
We are living in a time of — fear.
People are fearful about losing their health. People are fearful about losing their homes. People are fearful about losing their happiness. People are afraid of what the stock market may do, or the economy failing as a whole.
Questions are raised: “How am I going to take care of my family? Will I get sick with this conoravirus? Will my family run out of food?”
Every time you go to the store, you see the aisles are jam-packed with people trying to get the things they fear they will need or lack. Price gouging and empty shelves drive the fear into the hearts of millions of people.
Fear has a grip on the minds and hearts of so many people.
Fear is a feeling and is national when we are uncertain or unsure about the future.
We are living in a time of frustrations.
People are frustrated about the shutdown of businesses. People are frustrated about losing their jobs. People are frustrated because very few actually understand the reason behind all this panic. Is it real? Is all this necessary? Why is there no bleach to be found?
The average person on the street knows that the flu virus kills thousands every year with no cure. So, why all the fuss about this “strain?” This frustration causes millions of Americans, and people all over the globe to remain frustrated as they try to live day by day.
We live in a time of unbridled feelings.
We are living in a time where feelings can over-ride common sense and good judgment, making matters worse.
Perhaps you are quarantined — you may feel alone and abandoned.
Perhaps your kids are home from school and you are running out of ideas to keep them happy (this is real folks.) Perhaps you have lost your job. Maybe you are feeling that if you touch the wrong thing, you will get sick.
Fear, frustrations and feelings can drive you to insanity — or an early grave.
There is hope and there is an answer to help you cope in these days of uncertainty. The one and only home we have is in the Lord Jesus Christ!
No matter what is going on in the world around us, we do not have to be afraid. The fact is, Jesus encourages us to believe that your Heavenly Father knows what He is doing!
God is in control. We say it. We preach it. We act like we believe it when times are good. However, if the only time we believe that God is in control is when life is comfortable or explainable, then we have a very small opinion of God.
Since the Lord is my Shepherd, I can believe that God Himself has taken personal responsibility to see me through whatever lies ahead … Whether it be my health, my finances, my employment, my future or whatever else may attempt to turn my faith into fear.
I do not have to be afraid. Life may continue to present frustrations, but my God told me in His Word that He will take care of it all. With all the panic and anxiety that is felt in the community, we can rest in the promises of our all knowing and all powerful God who has made it His priority to take care of His own … which means ME!
While it may be true that we could be facing hardships and trials for a long time to come, we can be reassured in the Scripture that says that God will perform His perfect plan in my life.
