Oh Woman, Fret Not!

“Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” – Matt. 6:25

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” – Matt. 6:34

In light of my series on Homemaking on a Budget, I thought I would add a little to my stance on frugality. If you haven’t read my previous post, feel free to read it here. Aaron & I have been reading through What Jesus Demands from the World by John Piper in our morning devotion time, and there are a few points that he shares that are so powerful to our understanding of money and possessions and the struggle of anxiety that is so common an area of weakness for us as women especially. These truths impacted me greatly, I had to share them with you. I hope you are encouraged by these thoughts.

1. Why do I worry about food and clothing? Why does Jesus specifically address these two area of our lives? If we did not possess these two things, we would lose out on some pleasure in this life. The pleasure of tasteful food. The pleasure of admiring glances from people because of our dress. We could lose our very existence if we had no nourishment or clothing for our bodies. Jesus’ reminder is that life was not give to serve our physical pleasures or attract the attention of mankind on us, but rather for something greater – the enjoyment of God and the approval of God!
2. Anxiety doesn’t get us anywhere! “And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?” (Matt. 6:27). It is useless! It profits nothing.
3. The birds of the air continue to go about their work, not hoarding the provision of the day, nor fretting over the provision of tomorrow. They don’t hoard things as if God will not provide tomorrow. Likewise we, should continue the work that we are called to, knowing that when the sun rises tomorrow – God will still be God!
4. He promises to meet all our needs (Matt. 6:28-30). “His promise to meet all our needs does not mean He will make us rich, nor does it mean he will even keep us alive. It means he will give us all that we need to do the will of God.” (Piper)
5. Anxiety puts us at the same level as unbelievers. “Do not worry…for the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” (Matt. 6:31,32). When we worry it shows that we are really very much like the world.

“Anxiety shows that we are too close to the world and too far from God.” (Piper)

Finally, in conclusion, don’t worry oh woman for your God knows all your needs from now and forever. He will supply all that you need to accomplish His will and purpose for your life. Anything else that he does not supply is not necessary. All else will not help you walk in his will!

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matt. 6:33)