Right Priorities

Oh, how quickly we let worries define us and take charge of our lives! Even as I write, savvy online advertisers raise the alarm about the state of my wrinkles, relationships and waistline. I am encouraged to fixate on food and be consumed with my career.

Worry gravitates towards the trivial, distorting our priorities. Rather than examining the state of our souls before God, we concern ourselves with how we look to other people. Far more often, we fuss in front of a mirror rather than spend time with the One who knows each of our visible and invisible features.

We are most likely to fall into the trap of worry when we believe subtle untruths about God. It’s easy to listen to an internal voice telling us that God is distant, idle and uncaring. The only solution, we rationalize, is to take on the role of looking out for ourselves.

Jesus reminds us that the power of God is absolute—he takes action as he sees fit to maintain the structure he has designed. But to set our hearts at rest, he reassures us that though we are as fragile as a sparrow, God wraps his caring hand around us.

When we acknowledge God’s ultimate authority in our lives by our words and lifestyle, we remove ourselves from the stressful situation of having to keep all things under our control. It becomes easier for us to receive his love, knowing he is well aware of even our most mundane concerns, and no marketplace transaction, early morning sigh or tongue-tied moment will go unnoticed.

Worry cannot stand up to competition. In declaring truth about our Living God, we rob it of its power to paralyze us. And Jesus says we are worth it.

Respond in Prayer

Great King, we humbly acknowledge the rightful authority you have over our hearts. We give you the worries that take your place on the throne. Lift our eyes to you and let us see the love you expressed so beautifully in the gift of your Son. Amen.

Miriam Wickett

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®).