Anxiety -- What's That?

 

ANXIETY -- WHAT'S THAT?

      Jesus asked a question of His disciples:  "...why are you anxious...?"  He went on to explain to them how God would take care of their needs and that, by the way, "which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?"  

      The answer would be, "Uh, that would be -- none of us."

      I love when Jesus pointed out how the flowers "neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you.  O you, of little faith?"

       The white camellia pictured above is a work of art from the Master's Hand.  The way the delicate petals whorl outward from the center into a circle of beauty looks much like a rose.  And notice the blush of pink faintly coloring the white, along with occasional strokes of deeper pink.  And it's all framed by deep green leathery leaves.  Yet, this exquisite work of art will only show forth such beauty for a few days before it begins to wilt and eventually fall from the bush and wither away.

        One of the truths I believe Jesus was pointing out is the comparison of the detailed care God gave to this beautiful short-lived camellia in comparison to the detailed care He gives to His beloved followers who are created to live eteranally.  How much more will He even take care of our needs.

        When the Apostle Paul was in a Roman prison, he wrote to his dear friends at the church in Philippi, "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus," Philippians 4:19.  In the previouis verse, as he gazed out the barred window of his cell, he wrote, "Indeed I have all and abound.  I am full." 

        Paul was able to make these statements while behind bars because he had the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding that was guarding his heart and mind through Christ Jesus (4:7).  And how was he able to write all these things with such certainty?  Because he believed and lived the admonition found in the preceding verse:  "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."

Photo:  taken by me on the UNCW campus in Wilmington, NC early this month.