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“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 store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed 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 fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So, do not worry, saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” ~ Matthew 6: 25 – 34

 

Everyone has an image of themselves, for better or for worse. It’s always there, and we build ourselves from this image. But why? What are we trying to match? Who are we proving ourselves to? The only person to whom it really matters is God. God knows us to our very cores. He knows the number of hairs on our head, every aspect of our daily lives, and yet we feel the need to show superiority through food and drink, through clothing, and even through worship itself. Its not good, but it is natural, and this is something as followers of Christ that we must shy away from.

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In verse 26 of Matthew 6, it compares our fretting to that of other creatures of God’s Earth, like the birds. We were created in His image. Why would He provide for them if He is not planning on providing for us? We are more valuable than the animals, and there really isn’t any point in worrying. In the words of one of my most loved book character, “My philosophy is that worrying means you suffer twice”. Imagine that, worrying daily over things that may not even happen… Fair enough, its natural – I’m worried that this devotional won’t be great – but The

Lord knows our hearts, and tells us that worrying doesn’t make a difference.

Social media has made an even bigger impact on self-worth recently, with nearly everyone with access to the internet comparing themselves to their friends latest Instagram or Facebook update etc. Let’s be real for a minute; that’s not really them. Social media in its essence is a way of expressing and showing off the better ‘you’. We’re told in the final verses of Matthew 6 not to worry about such trivial things. God knows, and God looks out for us. Jesus felt every one of these worries, and knew to turn to His Father first – He didn’t turn out too badly, right? Seek the Kingdom of the Lord foremost and He will deliver his gifts to you.

 

Prayer

Lord, we pray for Your Grace and wisdom, that we may learn from you that we are here to praise you, to be a shining light of Your love for humanity. I thank you Lord that you know us, have always known us and know our hearts and desires. Please, Heavenly Father go before us day by day to worry not of our image, but of how we act in the ways of Jesus, Amen.