Begin with 2 minutes of stillness and silence before God.

Matthew 6:25 states, “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 than food, and the body more than clothes?”

We find ourselves in a time of endless things to worry about whether it be inflation and the growing cost of groceries, safety surrounding sending our children to school, etc. Whatever we take on as our focus can become our most prominent thought thus leading to unnecessary worry. Has God not always provided for us what we need? I think back four years ago to the grocery shortage brought about by COVID. It was scary, and it was bad. Shelves were empty, but we survived albeit with a limited supply of groceries and, well, different substitutions for toilet paper. But, all the same, God provided.

We are reminded of how much He cares for us in Lamentations 3:21-25.

"Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.' The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him."

In one of our most recent church services, Craig Curtis hosted two Christian counselors, Lee and Brandy, to discuss mental health needs. They challenged us to recall what God has done for us by creating “AND” statements. Brandy reminded us that it is important to create the “and” statement with the challenge listed first and the reminder of God’s provision and love for us second. For example, my family member recently received a scary diagnosis, and I will count on God’s mercy to carry us through.

God has come through for each of us many times. How easy is it for you to draw those specific instances to mind? Do you remember when you were fearful of a diagnosis and now you are on the healing side of that journey? Do you remember when your vehicle was on its last leg and God provided a way? Do you remember when your life felt destined to darkness and sadness but God made a way for you out of that darkness?

When I remember the moments He specifically made a way for me, those remembrances give me hope. I am quickly reminded of “when” or “how” He abundantly met my needs over and above anything I could have asked for or imagined.

Take 2 minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Take time to write a Thank You prayer to God to thank Him for those specific instances that were brought to mind today. Gratitude improves our mental health, strengthens our minds, and gives us hope. Thank Him for his provision today.
  
• Prayer: Dear God, I am so thankful that you come directly to us in our times of brokenness and make us whole. God, worry is a distraction from all of the wonderful provisions you have made in our lives. Lord, when we get overwhelmed by the struggles of life, help us to remember all the ways you’ve gone out of the way to make a way for us. For it is in Your most precious name we pray. Amen.