Daily devotional · September 12
Birds, Flowers and Worry
“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? Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? Consider how the lilies of the field grow: They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.”
Jesus points at things anyone can see: the birds outside, the wildflowers by the road. They do not stockpile or panic, yet they are fed and clothed. His argument in Matthew 6:26 is gentle: you matter more to your Father than they do. He is not mocking real needs, since he knows we need food and clothes. He is teaching us that worry adds nothing to our days, and it borrows trouble from a tomorrow that has not arrived. The alternative is to seek first the kingdom, which means letting God's priorities order our own. Then daily needs find their place. Today, write down your three biggest worries. Next to each, write one small action within your control, or write, not mine to solve today. Then step outside for two minutes, look at something living, and give thanks. If anxiety feels constant, talking with a counselor is a wise step.
Also read
“Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”
Matthew 6:26
Prayer
Father, you feed the birds and you know my needs. Quiet my worries and help me seek you first.

