Consider the Wildflowers
“Consider how the wildflowers grow. They do not labor or spin. yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.” Luke 12:27
I had some thoughts on this verse spelled out nicely in a notebook, but do you think i could find said notebook when i finally sat down to write it out? of course not. that would mean that i had an orderly office and that everything had a spot. I would probably have more luck finding it on a random sticky note laying around. (i get it from my grandma). This verse kept popping up ‘randomly’ for quite a while before sitting down and really looking into what it meant and what God was trying to tell me. Anyone else struggle with worry and anxiety? Yeah, I kinda figured I wasn’t alone. I started digging into this verse and Matthew chapter 6 also says the same thing. It is even listed under the heading “the cure for anxiety” starting in verse 25.
“Therefore I tell you: don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more tahn the food and the body more than clothing? Consider the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they? Can any of you add one moment to his life span by worrying? and why do you worry about clothes? obeserve how the wildflowers of the field grow; they don’t labor or spin thread. yet i tell yo that not even solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these. If that’s how God clothes the grass of the field which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won’t he do much more for you - you of little faith? so don’t worry, saying, what will we eat? or what will we drink? or what will we wear? for the genitles easgerly seek all these things, and your heavenlt father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” -Matthew 6:25-34
Isn’t this good? I struggle hard with worry and fear. I have for as long as i can remember. As a child my fear looked more like fear of the dark, things I thought I saw on my bed, looking out the window in the dark, nightmares, and if I am really honest what if Jesus came back before I was married and had kids?! My fears and worries look a bit different as an adult, but it is all the same. What are we not trusting God about? What are we so concerned with that we don’t believe He has our best in mind? This verse for me is easy to read and say YES! That is good. We serve a good God who loves us and promises to take care of us, and in the next moment be stressing about whether or not we will have enough money for groceries. God wants better for me and for you.
While our questions and feelings are valid, our feelings are not always true. A couple tools I learned in counseling was to put specific names to my feelings, and then to ask myself “what do I know to be true”? When my brain starts to spiral about cost of groceries, or Easter baskets, or better yet, what if________________, {you fill in the blank} I can come back to this truth- Consider the Wildflowers. God really does love you and He is good. Even if the things we walk through are not. One day at a time, seeking his Kingdom and His righteousness, we will be ok.
What does seeking his kingdom mean? This is the mindset of seeing things through God’s perspective and trusting He has the whole picture in mind. We may only see a couple pieces of the puzzle but he sees the finished product. Sometimes, the things we walk through bring us closer to the heart of God if we allow it. So, whatever you may be anxious about today, I encourage you to lean into the one who loves you and promises that He will take care of you. Trust that His provision is not only enough, but good. Consider the wildflowers and their beauty that comes from God’s perfect design.