In The Middle Of The Storm

Matthew 6: 25 - 34 (NLT)

25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God[e] above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today

What a sweet commandment and until recently I don’t know that I saw it as such. I just don’t know that I really paid it much mind.

Over the past several months I have struggled with worry and anxiety there were times when I honestly felt strangled I found it hard to breath to focus on anything outside my worry seemed almost impossible. How do I seek first the kingdom of God when all I can see is the storm raging around me?

Over the past several months God has been both patient and kind, giving me scripture after scripture, phone calls, visitors, and even opportunities for prayer to encourage, protect and guide not just me but my family. He has brought light to some of my darkest days. It was in those dark days that I realized that I needed to choose to surrender my worries to him and when I did he would comfort me in ways no person was able.

I don’t know if you realize it but in this passage by simply addressing the various worries we encounter in life God is pointing out that he recognizes that worry, fear anxiety are things each of us may deal with at some time or another in our life time.

Too many of us get caught up in the lie .... “if you were a “good Christian you would not worry so much”” or “ if you just had more faith” then you would not have worry, fear, or anxiety".

God is telling us that life happens but when it does

To seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you

We need to choose to take our eyes off of our troubles and our victories and “seek first his kingdom”

* to look at God * to peek into his kingdom * to remember the miracles * to keep an accurate perspective of who God is

So WHO is God … … … We know him as the creator but lets get personal cuz truth is it is in these personal moments that his peace breaks into our craziness

· He heals the broken hearted Psalm 147: 3 he heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds.

· He is mighty in power Psalm 147: 5 great is our Lord mighty in power.

· He understands everything, all that we are struggling with or going through Psalm 147: 5b his understanding has no limit.

· He is our protector Psalm 3: 3 you are a shield around me O Lord.

· He is a place of refuge, we can go to him for safety Psalm 9: 9 the Lord is a refuge for the oppressed a stronghold in times of trouble.

· He will not ignore our crys Psalm 9: 12 he does not ignore the cry of the afflicted.

· He will answer us when we call on him Psalm 17: 6 I call on you O God for you will answer me and Psalm 18: 6 I cried to my God for help from his temple he heard my voice my cry came before him into his ears

· He assures us that our hope is not in vain Psalm 25: 3 no one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame.

Psalm 27

A psalm of David.

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—