Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. — Matthew 6:34.
I have had a few anxious nights lately, and I woke this morning anxious. Not about myself, I’m ensconced in my house. Suzy won’t even let me go to the grocery store. I’m anxious for the health of the world, and the economic health of this country. I have a dear friend who is on the brink of losing everything he owns because of the lock down in California and the virus. I bet you have friends and owners of restaurants who will tell you the same.
So I pulled out the comfort of Matthew 6:25-34 which I have to say isn’t that reassuring if you only read verse 34, but go back to verse 25 where Jesus says: “Therefore I tell you, 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. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
I’m still anxious, so I look out my writers window and think, “look at all the people who are taking advantage of the spring and walking their dogs.” The dog walkers have increase five fold in the last week. People keep their distance but stop and chat with their neighbors and rarely do I hear complaints. The walkers have grown to understand that life itself is the key and a walk in the spring air has more value than their 401K.
For me I work on my anxiety by doing two things: Taking stock of my blessings especially a wife who won’t let me go to the grocery store, and remembering the words of Christ found in Matthew 6:33 — “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Beautifully expressed, as usual. Stay home and write and be content, my friend!
Thank you Jill. Stay safe. Webb.