How much does worry weigh?

How much does worry weigh?

“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?“Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? “And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?" Matthew 6:25-34

How much do you think worry weighs?  While it can't be measured in ounces, I guarantee it weighs more than a person should or can carry for any length of time.   If you have ever competed in a race, especially a long one like a marathon,you know that extra weight can keep you from finishing.  The race can be so difficult that completing it is nearly impossible in the best of circumstances.  I can remember running a few races with items I "didn't need" in anticipation of not "having enough."  I can tell you that didn't last long.  I figured out that if I wanted to finish strong and fast, I would have to trust God to provide for my needs, dump the excess baggage and just run-in other words, trust God to get me from the start to the finish and every mile in between.  

I think a lot of us do this in our everyday lives.  We worry so much about tomorrow that it affects how we live today.  We worry about what we will wear, what we will eat, how we will pay our bills...and the list goes on.  God isn't telling us that we shouldn't be prepared or sit around and wait for Him to meet our needs.  He's simply saying that, if we trust in Him, our needs will be met.  He feeds the birds, that is certain, but he doesn't put the food into their mouths.  How simple a lesson.   Proverbs 35-6 tells us to, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths."  

The secret to not worrying?  Trusting God.  It's that simple.  Take a lesson from the birds, praise Him with song, work diligently and know God will provide.  "Are you not worth much more than they?"

So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.  -Jesus

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us enough to meet our needs-for caring for us more than we could ever imagine.  Help us to trust you with all our hearts and to seek Your will. Direct our paths Lord, and release us from the weight of worry.  In your precious name we pray Jesus, Amen.  

Happy Running!!!

Take off those shackles and praise Him!!