Utah's Hope

The birds don’t gather into barns. The lilies don’t spin their own clothing. Yet Jesus says both have something to teach us about trust.

Financial fear often begins when we realize how much we cannot control. We can plan wisely, save diligently, and prepare carefully—but tomorrow still belongs to God.

That’s why Jesus’ words in Matthew 6 offer such deep comfort for anxious hearts.

In Matthew 6, Jesus says, “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.” Later, He adds, “Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.”

For anyone who has struggled with financial fear, those words can feel heavy.

You may think, I know I shouldn’t worry—but I do.

You worry about the bills. You worry about your job. You worry about the market, retirement, your children, or what happens if the car breaks down, the medical bill comes in, or the paycheck doesn’t stretch far enough.

And then, on top of the worry, you may feel guilty for worrying.

But Jesus is not standing over anxious people simply saying, “Stop it.” Instead, He draws near and says, “Look.”

Jesus invites us to look at the birds of the air and the lilies of the field. He points us to a world that does not revolve around our control, our striving, our spreadsheets, or our ability to predict every outcome.

“The birds of the air” do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet our heavenly Father feeds them. The lilies do not toil or spin, and yet not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of them.

Jesus is not saying planning is wrong. Scripture encourages wise preparation and faithful stewardship. But He is exposing the illusion that we are in control.

Anxiety often grows in the gap between what we can manage and what we cannot guarantee.

We can make a budget, but we cannot control tomorrow. We can save wisely, but we cannot control the economy. We can work faithfully, but we cannot control every outcome.

And when we begin to believe everything depends on us, stewardship becomes a crushing burden. Planning turns into panic. Saving turns into hoarding. Responsibility turns into fear.

That’s why Jesus tells us to look beyond ourselves.

The birds are a sermon in the sky. The flowers are a testimony in the field. Creation itself is preaching the care of God.

And Jesus’ point is not merely “Don’t worry.” His deeper point is this: Your Father knows.

Your Father knows what you need. Your Father sees what burdens you. Your Father understands the bills, the uncertainty, the decisions, the pressure, and the fear that wakes you up at night.

And if He feeds the birds—creatures that do not bear His image—how much more will He care for you, His beloved child?

That does not mean every financial difficulty disappears. Jesus never promises a life without trouble. In fact, He says, “Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

There are real burdens in this life. There are real needs. There are real moments of uncertainty. But Jesus invites us to face today’s trouble with today’s grace.

“Do not be anxious about tomorrow” is not a cold command. It is a tender invitation.

Jesus is reminding us that we do not have to live as though the future rests on our shoulders. We do not have to secure our own universe. We do not have to hold everything together.

Our Father is already there.

So what do we do with financial anxiety?

We bring it honestly to God. We name the fears we are carrying. We ask for wisdom where action is needed. We seek wise counsel when decisions feel too heavy. And then, with open hands, we release what we cannot control.

We do the nex

There’s a good chance you’ve seen a two-man saw. With handles on both sides, it’s an excellent example of teamwork. One man pushes, the other man pulls – and then vice versa. Some of those saws were 12 feet long. The Christian life has many examples of teamwork, and today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie helps us focus on discipleship. It addresses the push n’ pull of daily life as a believer – where a new believer and a veteran believer each have something to offer the other.

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Some experiences don't just change your schedule. They change what bothers you, what matters to you, and what you can't stop thinking about afterward. On FamilyLife Today, Dave and Ann Wilson sit down with radio personalities Brant Hanson and Sherri Lynn to share a few moments that did exactly that. We're talking stories that challenged their assumptions, stretched their comfort zones, and changed the way they see people. From fear and anxiety to purpose and perspective, this conversation may leave you asking some different questions than the ones you brought with you.

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Generally speaking, firstborns are leaders, middle children are peacemakers, and the babies of the family are playful. And while it’s challenging to understand your children’s dynamics when it comes to their birth order, these traits hold true for you and your spouse, as well. Dr. Kevin Leman helps you understand how birth order plays a role in the way you interact as a married couple and shares advice on how to manage challenges in your relationship that often stem from your placement in your family of origin.
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We are constantly bombarded by the message, “You just need a little more.” But what if real peace isn’t found in having more, but in learning to need less? For some, the word, “wealth” means freedom. For others, it brings anxiety and pressure. On the next Faith & Finance Live, Rob West and Jeff Manion explore how we can cultivate contentment in a culture where more is often sought and desired. Then, it’s on to calls. That’s Faith & Finance Live —where biblical wisdom meets today’s finances, weekdays at 4pm Eastern/3pm Central on Moody Radio.

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Do differences between you and your spouse trigger tension in your marriage? Greg and Erin talk with Amber Lia and offer tips to respond well and explore how miscommunication fuels anger. They discuss common conflict points like “chore wars,” the invisible mental load, and backseat driving, while emphasizing teamwork, communication, and going the extra mile. They also encourage you and your spouse to take the personality test, and they answer a listener's question about living with a depressed spouse.
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