Tag: He watches over me

God, Jesus

Birds Don’t Worry

meghanewhite

photography of small blue and brown bird
Photo by Tina Nord on Pexels.com

If there was a contest for the best worrier I would have been in the running. I may have even won. The old me was a worry wart. I like to say that I was a born worrier. I was very good at it. The champion of worriers. This is not the kind of accomplishment to be proud of.

These days I worry much less. Worry still tries to rear its ugly head and take over my thoughts, but now it doesn’t have me captive. When worry threatens to take over, I know how to fight back. I did not learn this overnight. This has taken many years by the grace and mercy of God.

Jesus is quite clear that we are not to worry. He does not suggest or recommend that we do not worry, Jesus commands us not to worry. He uses the illustration of birds to show the importance of trusting God to take care of us.

Birds are beautiful, majestic creatures. I love bird watching. The lovely songs they sing, and their extraordinary colors are awe inspiring. With all their flying and forging they aren’t worrying. Birds don’t have barns or warehouses for their food, yet they are always fed because their creator, Father God, feeds them.

You and I are much more valuable than birds. We are made in the image of God, the pinnacle of His creation. If God takes care of the birds, won’t He take care of us?

25 “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? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

Matthew 6:25-27, NIV

I love this passage in Matthew. I have read it so many times over the years that the page is falling out of my Bible. These incredible words from Jesus have penetrated my heart and my mind to set me free from worry. That’s how much our Heavenly Father loves us. He does not want us worrying. He cares for our every need and we do not have to worry.

Worry does no good, only harm.

Worry changes absolutely nothing.

Worry places our focus on our problems, or potential problems.

Worry cannot take care of our needs.

Worry takes our eyes off of Jesus.

God loves all of His creation. He cares for the birds He made by providing food and shelter for them. We are much more precious to God then birds. God knows what we need.

God will take care of you.

There is a key component to trusting God for all of our needs. We must seek His kingdom and His righteousness first.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33, NIV

We must seek God first and foremost. If we are earnestly seeking God, we must expect to find Him.

God is sovereign over everything. He rules over all creation, including us. He is our provider and we need to look to Him and trust Him, because He is trustworthy. God loves us and will take care of our needs.

What are you worrying about today?

You can give every single worry over to your Heavenly Father. He is able to take care of your every need. Seek Him, and His Kingdom, and He will take care of your needs. He will replace your worry with peace.

Love you all,

Meghan

Father God,

You are worthy of all our praise. Forgive us when we don’t trust You and we worry. Replace our worry with faith, peace, and complete trust in You. Thank You for loving us and providing our every need.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Read the entire passage in Matthew at the link below.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206%3A25-34&version=NIV

Spiritual Warfare, Trials

When Fear Wakes You up in the Middle of The Night

meghanewhite

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I stared into the shadows of my darkened bedroom. After being sound asleep, I was suddenly wide awake. Every problem, concern, and worry flooded my mind. 

Oh no Lord! What am I going to do about ………

This happens to me from time to time. I fall asleep completely fine, and then I am awakened with the reality of overwhelming problems, and things I need to take care of. My mind will go into high gear doing something that is very dangerous, thinking. Overthinking. 

This used to keep me up for hours as I tossed and turned, just thinking and thinking. Not anymore. It took some discipline, and the grace and mercy of God, to not let the middle of the night overthinking stop me. The reality that God is watching over me helped set me free of my night time anxiety.

God is in the watches of the night.

The Roman military divided the night into four watches. A soldier had one of those night watches lasting three hours. The soldiers were keeping watch for the enemy to prevent a surprise attack. They were ready to defend any invaders and alert of potential trouble.

God has all four watches of the night. All night. Every night. He is working and watching over us. When we wake up in the middle of the night, and the fear wants to take over, He is there. God is aware of potential trouble and knows about every surprise attack. It’s no surprise to Him.

God does not clock out when we go to sleep. He’s not on our human schedule. God is always at work. God works at night while you are sleeping, or tossing and turning. It doesn’t matter if you are awake or not. Our problems do not prohibit God. He is limitless. 

I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustains me. Psalm 3:5

The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in From this time forth and forever. Psalm 121:8

The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Watching the evil and the good. Proverbs 15:3

When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Proverbs 3:24 

To stop my night time anxiety I do two simple things.

The first thing I do is listen to the Holy Spirit. He is always speaking, we just need to listen. He reminds me of the truth and will put scriptures in my head. Here’s one that came to mind the other night as I was overthinking.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7, NIV 

I just say that verse in my head until I fall back asleep. It’s the truth. We are not to worry and be anxious. Yes, we will all suffer from normal human anxieties and worries, but we do not have to stay stuck there. Even if I can only say the first part of the verse, that’s what I do. It really helps and has been my most powerful weapon in fighting my own thoughts. 

Prayer is powerful too. When you are up in the middle of the night with an overactive mind like I’ve got, pray. Honest prayers are the best. Ask for help. God is always willing and able to help us. He is faithful to hear and answer our prayers.

If fear wakes you up in the dead of night, be encouraged today. Do not let those fears and negative thoughts stop you. The Lord will help you overcome. God is always working and He takes the night shift. God loves you so much! Trust Him to care for you even while you sleep. Amen.

Love you all,

Meghan 

Father God,

Thank you for your unending love. You are awesome, holy God. I lift up all who are struggling with night time anxiety. May your peace flood their hearts and minds. Give each person restful sleep. When they wake up in moments of fear, comfort them and speak to their hearts and minds the truth that you are with them. We praise you and thank you!

In Jesus name,

Amen

All scripture quoted is from NASB.

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