Trusting God’s Provision

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? 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? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

My sister-in-law April had just returned from a missions trip to Albania, and she told me about the experience that had the greatest impact on her.

“One of the most eye-opening times was when we went to a poor village with one of the local pastors to distribute food and supplies. We stopped at one older couple’s place, and as they invited us into their small house with very few furnishings, they welcomed us with open arms. They didn’t know us or that we were coming, but they kept saying, ‘thank you for coming; we’re so glad you’re here.’ As we gave them supplies, the wife explained how they woke up that morning with no food and had asked God to provide for them for today.”

My throat clenched with emotion as I nodded in response.

“I thought, do we ever do that?” April said through tears. “They were so grateful, so happy; they didn’t seem overly worried or stressed out. They enjoyed the moment they were in and trusted and believed that God would provide. We don’t live that way. We can get so anxious about so many things.”

She finished by saying, “I came home convicted about everything I worry about, when God has told us he will provide.”

As I thought about April’s story, I realized how easy it is in my own life to worry over the future, forgetting all the times God has made a way or provided for me in the past.

We are often told in Scripture not to fear or worry, that God will take care of us because we are valuable to him. And indeed—can all our worries add time to our lives? Not even a little bit. We can trust in God’s provision for today.

Kendra

Today’s Act of Gratitude

Spend time writing down the ways God has provided for you in the past, and thank him for the provision you know he will continue to bring.