Day Two - Faith Over Worry
New Testament: Luke 12:25-26
Old Testament: Ecclesiastes 3:9-14
My gas light came on today. The message said I had 47 miles to empty. I was on 1097 headed to Willis. Did I worry – nope.
But you all know what I did next! I thought – Hmm can I get to 3083 where the gas is 8 cents cheaper. I considered it… lol.
Jesus said – do not worry – I will provide…. Ok, but Not like that!
We all have warning signs in life that pop up when we’d rather not see them. Worry, creeps into our minds, whispering worst-case scenarios and stealing our peace.
Jesus, however, doesn’t just tell us not to worry—He challenges us to think about how unproductive it really is. “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?”
He asks. Worry doesn’t change our circumstances. It doesn’t solve our problems. It only robs us of the peace and joy God freely offers.
In my case, the Holy Spirit said – stop at the 7-Eleven on 75. Don’t worry – you got this.
I got to live to see another day! Yay. Why did I bring that up out of the blue?
Historical Context
In Jesus’ time, life expectancy was short, and daily survival was often uncertain. Many people worked hard just to have enough food for the day. Illness, famine, and political instability were constant threats.
Worry was a natural response to these challenges.
The crowd listening to Jesus likely had plenty to worry about: where their next meal would come from, how to protect their families, how to survive under Roman oppression.
Yet Jesus’ words cut through their anxiety and invite them into a different way of thinking. If we can’t even add an hour to our lives through worry, why do we waste so much time and energy on it?
Ecclesiastes 3:9-14 echoes the futility of trying to control everything. The Teacher (Solomon) reflects on how human effort often feels meaningless apart from God. Yet this passage also offers hope: God has made everything beautiful in its time.
Jesus’ teaching reminds us that God is sovereign over every moment of our lives. Just as He provides for the birds of the air and the grass of the field, He provides for us—not always in the way we expect, but always in the way we need.
Worrying doesn’t make us more secure. Faith does.
Jesus builds on this idea, challenging His listeners to see life through the lens of faith rather than fear. He reminds them—and us—that our lives are held in God’s hands. Worry adds nothing to our lives. Trust adds everything.
Modern Context
Today, worry looks a little different, but it still holds power over us. Instead of worrying about crops or weather, we worry about jobs, relationships, health, and the future.
Technology has made our lives more connected but also more stressful. We’re bombarded by bad news and endless “what ifs.” We now live in a different world of worry!
BUT – what Jesus was teaching us just as relevant now as it was 2,000 years ago.
Worry can’t add a single hour to your life, but it can steal countless hours. It keeps us focused on ourselves rather than on God.
It distracts us from the blessings we already have and blinds us to the ways God is working in our lives.
Faith invites us to let go of that worry and trust in God’s sovereignty. That doesn’t mean ignoring the lights on the dashboard.
It means recognizing that we don’t have to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. God is in control, and He will provide. The Holy Spirit will navigate you through the right decisions – even when they do not feel right!
Reflection
So – church, what are you worrying about right now?
Are you trying to control something that only God can handle?
Take a moment to release that worry to Him and trust in His timing and provision.
Tell us in the comments what is worrying you THAT you know you can give to Jesus!
(We'll work on the other stuff later - yee of little faith!).
Prayer
Lord, I confess that worry often consumes my thoughts.
Help me to trust You with the things I cannot control.
Teach me to rest in Your peace, knowing that You hold my life in Your hands.
Thank You for being my faithful provider, even when I struggle to trust.
Amen.
New Testament: Luke 12:25-26
Old Testament: Ecclesiastes 3:9-14
My gas light came on today. The message said I had 47 miles to empty. I was on 1097 headed to Willis. Did I worry – nope.
But you all know what I did next! I thought – Hmm can I get to 3083 where the gas is 8 cents cheaper. I considered it… lol.
Jesus said – do not worry – I will provide…. Ok, but Not like that!
We all have warning signs in life that pop up when we’d rather not see them. Worry, creeps into our minds, whispering worst-case scenarios and stealing our peace.
Jesus, however, doesn’t just tell us not to worry—He challenges us to think about how unproductive it really is. “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?”
He asks. Worry doesn’t change our circumstances. It doesn’t solve our problems. It only robs us of the peace and joy God freely offers.
In my case, the Holy Spirit said – stop at the 7-Eleven on 75. Don’t worry – you got this.
I got to live to see another day! Yay. Why did I bring that up out of the blue?
Historical Context
In Jesus’ time, life expectancy was short, and daily survival was often uncertain. Many people worked hard just to have enough food for the day. Illness, famine, and political instability were constant threats.
Worry was a natural response to these challenges.
The crowd listening to Jesus likely had plenty to worry about: where their next meal would come from, how to protect their families, how to survive under Roman oppression.
Yet Jesus’ words cut through their anxiety and invite them into a different way of thinking. If we can’t even add an hour to our lives through worry, why do we waste so much time and energy on it?
Ecclesiastes 3:9-14 echoes the futility of trying to control everything. The Teacher (Solomon) reflects on how human effort often feels meaningless apart from God. Yet this passage also offers hope: God has made everything beautiful in its time.
Jesus’ teaching reminds us that God is sovereign over every moment of our lives. Just as He provides for the birds of the air and the grass of the field, He provides for us—not always in the way we expect, but always in the way we need.
Worrying doesn’t make us more secure. Faith does.
Jesus builds on this idea, challenging His listeners to see life through the lens of faith rather than fear. He reminds them—and us—that our lives are held in God’s hands. Worry adds nothing to our lives. Trust adds everything.
Modern Context
Today, worry looks a little different, but it still holds power over us. Instead of worrying about crops or weather, we worry about jobs, relationships, health, and the future.
Technology has made our lives more connected but also more stressful. We’re bombarded by bad news and endless “what ifs.” We now live in a different world of worry!
BUT – what Jesus was teaching us just as relevant now as it was 2,000 years ago.
Worry can’t add a single hour to your life, but it can steal countless hours. It keeps us focused on ourselves rather than on God.
It distracts us from the blessings we already have and blinds us to the ways God is working in our lives.
Faith invites us to let go of that worry and trust in God’s sovereignty. That doesn’t mean ignoring the lights on the dashboard.
It means recognizing that we don’t have to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. God is in control, and He will provide. The Holy Spirit will navigate you through the right decisions – even when they do not feel right!
Reflection
So – church, what are you worrying about right now?
Are you trying to control something that only God can handle?
Take a moment to release that worry to Him and trust in His timing and provision.
Tell us in the comments what is worrying you THAT you know you can give to Jesus!
(We'll work on the other stuff later - yee of little faith!).
Prayer
Lord, I confess that worry often consumes my thoughts.
Help me to trust You with the things I cannot control.
Teach me to rest in Your peace, knowing that You hold my life in Your hands.
Thank You for being my faithful provider, even when I struggle to trust.
Amen.
Posted in Pentecost 2025
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