I

worry a lot. Sometimes it keeps me up at night. I worry about things

at church. I worry about my family. I worry about my health. I worry

about ­money. I don’t think I’m alone in worrying about

things. Most people I share my worries with say that they lose sleep

over similar things. I guess worrying is pretty normal.

But

then I read today’s verses, and I worry that I’m not living the

life of faith correctly. Ugh! I worry a lot even though Jesus tells

us not to worry! A vicious cycle of worry and guilt sets in. Should I

feel bad that I worry more than I should? More than Jesus wants me

to?

Maybe

Jesus told us not to ­worry because he knew we would. I love the

examples he gives to help us not worry. Look at how God takes care of

birds. Look at how beautiful he created flowers to be. Those things

are amazing, and God’s care for them is elaborate and extensive.

And yet God cares for us so much more than for birds and flowers. So

why worry?

I

don’t think I’ll stop waking up in the middle of the night from

worry anytime soon. But the next time I do that, I’m going to read

this passage and remember how much God cares for me. Then I’m going

to lie back and rest in the care of the one who has made and loves

and cares for me every second of every day. Can you do that too?