Do Not Be Anxious?

April 1st, 2020
by Bill Williamson

““Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on.” Matthew 6.25

Several weeks ago that verse may not have meant much to any of us. But, oh how things have changed. For many of us there was no need to be anxious about life, particularly what we would eat or drink. Most people were not concerned about their health.

EMPTY SHELVES IN THE MARKETS INDICATED SOMETHING HAD CHANGED.

It was not just about food and drink, but also handwipes and toilet paper and respirators and masks and gloves were in short supply. Yet, Matthew 6.25 probably still didn’t mean much to many. It seemed like crazy advice. Do not be anxious? How could we not be anxious?

Several weeks ago people were counting down days to upcoming events:

Weddings
Vacations to Hawaii, Disneyland
Prom and Graduation
Retirement
Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter

TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS, STOCK MARKET PLUNGES, SCHOOL CANCELLED
ALL INDICATIONS THAT THINGS WERE CHANGING

In the last several weeks, many people have had loved ones die and have not been able to have a Celebration of Life; birthdays have been celebrated in isolation; anniversaries have been celebrated by husbands and wives in separate isolated rooms; elderly and sick are unable to have visitors, and family members are unable to visit their loved ones; emergency trips to the hospital where a husband is separated from his wife who has to go home and just wait, not knowing what is going on; people losing jobs and income; and let’s not forget the many who have lost their lives to COVID-19.

This is not right. This is not what any of us expected.
None of us was prepared for “tomorrow” when “tomorrow” came.
Then, as I pondered all of this, I remembered that we are in the season of LENT.
We have a Savior who has experienced more than any of us ever will.

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Isaiah 53.3

We have a Savior who knows our suffering, who is familiar with our pain, who took our burdens upon Himself even as He hung on a cross. He who identifies with us in our suffering and affliction, can also give us what we need for today and tomorrow and for generations to come. So, yes, these are anxious times, but do not need to be anxious about tomorrow, because we have one who is with us today. He will give us today what we need for today, and we can trust that He will give us tomorrow what we need for tomorrow, our DAILY BREAD, and He will go before us and provide a way for the unknown tomorrows yet to come. His mercies are new and fresh every morning. Call upon the Lord, Seek Him today, and receive what He alone can give you: peace, strength, comfort, wisdom, love, grace, courage, and whatever it is you need today that will see you through tomorrow.

Posted in Drops of Grace