“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” (Matthew 6:27 ESV)

As the simpler days of summer come to a close, we also welcome a season filled with lots of

newness and change. We exchange vacation days and lazy evenings on the porch for the

busier school schedules, work commutes, sports practices, and games. And while some of

these things can be fun and exciting, they can also be filled with “unknowns.” If we’re honest,

most of us prefer to know what’s coming next. We like to have a plan. We want to make sure we

will have what we need.

One afternoon, when our kids were young, my husband decided to take the three of them out to

do something special. Yet, one of the girls wasn’t so sure about that plan. She wanted to know

where they would be going and how long they would be gone. My husband told her it was a

surprise but assured her it would be fun. She wasn’t convinced and decided to stay home

instead. She was so worried about whether or not she would like the surprise that she didn’t

want to take that chance. She was disappointed when her brother and sister came home talking

about their time spent bouncing around at a trampoline park and getting a treat. Her worry and

fear of the unknown had kept her from enjoying the special day her loving daddy had planned

for her.

Similarly, when we feel anxious about what we don’t yet know or understand, are we not also

displaying a lack of trust in our Father’s care and love for us? Scripture reminds us and proves

to us that the Lord is always faithful (Lam. 3:22-23), just (Deut. 32:4), good (James 1:17), loving

(Psalm 86:15), all-knowing (Isaiah 40:28), and sovereign over all things (Psalm 33:11).

We can trust Him! He invites us to come to Him with all our worries and anxieties because He

cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). We know that in this world we will have trouble, but we can take heart

– He has already overcome it (John 16:33)! And when we come to Him in prayer with a thankful

heart, He promises to give us His perfect peace that is beyond our understanding (Phil. 4:7).



What fears and anxieties do you need to place in the hands of your loving Heavenly Father

today?

By Jessica Fox

Jessica is an early childhood teacher and pastor’s wife. She and her husband, Travis, have

been married for 23 years and attend IBC at Armstrong Mill with their children, Kaleb, Journey,

and Sadie.