Daily Devotional - Don't Worry, God Provides!
Worship: If you'd like to play a song before you begin, may we recommend "God Provides" by Tamela Mann.
Daily Verse: “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
☆Matthew 6:34 NLT
Let's talk about it: I was speaking with a dear friend a couple weeks back and we were discussing worry, trauma, PTSD and the effects of such. We both agreed that when everything is going alright in life, worry is not even on our radar. We also discussed how our situations can dictate our moods. But do they have to? Is there another way?
I hear many people speak about the "choose joy" movement, saying "joy is a choice" or "you can control how you feel" and while that may all be true for them, I don't always feel like thats the case for me. More often than not, I'm having to choose Jesus, and HE brings the joy.
Me choosing joy puts the burden on my own shoulders. It leaves it up to ME and my own strength. However, when I call out to Jesus, and I tell Him how I'm feeling, He enters the room with joy, or peace, or love, or gentleness, or patience, or kindness, or faith, or self-control. He ushers in the fruit (fruit of the Spirit) for me to chew on. He provides the comfort. He may even lovingly correct me, which allows me to see past my own worry, anxiety, trauma and look at how even when feeling like a wreck myself, I can still be a blessing and love on others.
So, yes, there is a way out of worry, anxiety, trauma, PTSD, grief, and all the other extremely complex emotions we humans are familiar with. His name is Jesus, and He stands at the door and knocks. Will you open and allow Him entry into your heart today? Will you allow Him to wipe away the stains this world has placed on your heart? Will you allow His blood to purify your heart by removing guilt, shame, worry & dread, and allow Him to replace them with His fruit?
Additional Reading: “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
☆John 15:1-4 NLT
Prayer: Father, forgive me for taking my eyes off of you. When I look to this world to meet my desires, I will always lack. I will always worry. But Father I thank you that in all your splendor and glory, you provided for me a perfect sacrifice, Jesus. Lord Jesus, I thank you for laying your life on the altar for mine. I thank you that whenever I call upon you Lord, you come swiftly and boldly and hold exactly what it is I need in your hands. I thank you Lord that your presence removes fear and worry and that you replace them with joy and peace. Thank you Lord for loving me like only you can. TODAY LORD, I choose YOU and know that you are my joy, my peace, my strength, my Advocate, my Intercessor, my King & my Redeemer. I love you Jesus and in your name I pray, amen.