Luke 21: 22-32 NLT
22 Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. 23 For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing.24 Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!25 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 26 And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?
27 “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 28 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
29 “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. 30 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs.31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.
32 “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.
WOW – am I right? When reading through these verses, joy, hope and love just fill me up. God cares about ME. God cares about YOU. So much so that it gives Him “great happiness” to give us the kingdom. To give us everything that we need.
My church recently did a series entitled “God Wants You To Be Happy” and it impacted me so much because, so often I find myself stressing and worrying about everyday things. What work I have to get done, plans I have to make – things that are so small yet seem SO big to me.
Things that almost seem petty when I think about how much they consume my mind and stress me out. Even though logically I know they are no big deal, EMOTIONALLY they can ruin my entire day.
And because I know these everyday things are petty, sometimes I don’t even want to bring them to God and pray about them. I find myself thinking, “there are people starving out there, why should I bring God these issues and waste His time?”
So you might be thinking… yeah Maddie, why should I bring them to Him? I’m going to tell you something my pastor said to me that changed the way I think about all of this. IF IT’S IMPORTANT TO ME, IT’S IMPORTANT TO GOD. IF IT’S IMPORTANT TO YOU, IT’S IMPORTANT TO GOD.
God cares about every single thing that happens in our lives. Stressing about the traffic on your way to your job you’re already late for? GOD CARES. Worrying about who you’re going to sit with at lunch? GOD CARES. Feeling down about the class you’re not doing well in? GOD CARES.
If it’s important to you – no matter how petty or mundane it may seem from the outside – it’s SO important to Him. THAT’S HOW MUCH HE LOVES US.
God wants us to be HAPPY. He cares about our happiness each and everyday. From the moment we wake up to the moment we go to sleep – He wants to be in it all. Every major and minor detail of it.
So as we enter the weekend and this next week, I encourage you all to bring everything to God. Pray about everything. No matter how big or small, God wants to be in it with us. And when we invite God into every moment, we invite His peace, wisdom, plan, promise and joy into our day-to-day.
And remember, if it’s important to you, it’s important to God. Write that down in your notes or take a mental picture so, whenever something troubles you, remember that simple yet powerful truth. Let’s see how this mindset changes your week! ♡
Love you all so much! I hope you enjoyed this devotional. Have any devotionals of your own you’ve written out and want to feature on the blog? Email it over to madisonmarieperry@gmail.com. ♡
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I enjoyed this very much and found this relatable. when i was first introduced to God I hardly prayed. I thought my problems, struggles, and situations weren’t anything compared to what other people are going through. Like there are people starving to death everyday, people who struggle so much just to live another day. Even now I still think like that. However, now I am going to do do my best to bring Him into everything that is important to me no matter how big or small.
Author
Yes, I totally get it! Just remember, if it’s important to you, it’s important to God. That viewpoint will change everything!
Thanks I enjoying reading your post is really helpful thank you for your passion inspired me soo much
Author
I’m SO glad! Your sweetness inspires me!
Its amazing first piece that you’ve shared Maddie. Normally I find myself worrying about food then I remember God will provide. Then I worry about how safe I am then I remember God is refuge and my fortress so I don’t have to fear anything. See its human nature to worry about things we think we can control that we put God aside thinking we don’t need him. Its only when we’re down to our last resort and see no other way that we invite God into the situation which by the way, shouldn’t be so. I myself worry everyday about how and what people will act towards me cos I can’t control anyone and their actions and words can either hurt me or build me. I guess from what you’ve shared Maddie, I got to remember this: God cares and He wants to help me in everything only if I allow and surrender it all. Wow all my anxiety just rolled off my back. Thanks or sharing Maddie.
Author
You are AMAZING. I’m so, so glad you loved it! Your kind words mean so much 🙂
I really needed to read this. Thank you so much.
Author
I’m so, so glad you loved it! 🙂
Awe that’s nice. Thanks for sharing as I struggle with that too. I love the way your pastor put it. Funny how somethings don’t click until it’s reworded for us to understand.
Okay, I’m opening up here but I was going through a very depressed moment in my life a few years ago. I wasn’t just struggling with self-esteem but struggled over self-love or seld-compassion. I struggled because I didn’t want to be “a lover of self” in a prideful way but at tge same time I knew it wasn’t healthy not having that self-love. You can’t really love others if you don’t love yourself (in a healthy way) first. Then a reall6 good mentor friend told me something that just clicked he said, “Why wouldn’t love something that God loves?” That hit me! He was right! God loves me why wouldn’t I love the same thing?
I hope that encourages you and the other readers here too! Your message encouraged me.
Thank you and God Bless.
Author
I love that so much! Thanks for sharing! 🙂 xx
You’re welcome!
I just realized how many typos I had lol
God bless! Xx
Chris
Thank you for your sharing what a great message I need this so much I’m always worry about little things this devotional it’s really lifting and encouraging I enjoy so much.
God bless you
Author
I’m so, so glad you loved it! Your kind words mean so much 🙂