Can all your worries add a single moment to your life. And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?
Luke 12:25-26 (NLT)
As a preteen girl, I remember worrying about what my hair and outfit looked like when I got ready for school in the mornings.
One morning, I cried out in frustration when my hair wouldn’t cooperate the way I wanted.
Hearing my distress from the hallway, my dad stepped to the open bathroom doorway to see what was wrong. I replied with typical young angst about how my stupid hair would not do right. My dad assured me (or at least tried) that my hair looked good, but I put little trust in his assessment. Then, with compassionate understanding, yet years of wisdom in his eyes, he shared these simple but profound words: “Don’t sweat the small stuff, baby.”
Of course, I couldn’t appreciate the wisdom at that moment. It felt like the most catastrophic crisis imaginable. But that moment and those words have come back to me many times throughout my life, and the truth of his words has resonated.
There have been many times over the years when I faced obstacles and struggles, and I allowed anxiety, fear, and worry to take hold.
I often thought, “Okay, Tiff, what would Daddy say? Don’t sweat the small stuff, baby.”
In the grand scheme of things, considering all that life involves, what I was worrying about—just like that day with the failed hairstyling attempt—was minor. They were small issues that shouldn’t have occupied so much of my time and energy.
Now, there have been other times in my life when I faced life-altering circumstances that made me feel hopeless and worried about how drastically they would affect my life if nothing changed. These were significant matters, not minor problems, and I couldn’t shake the worry that settled within me.
Yet, during most of those times, God came through in miraculous ways that I never expected. He would take care of the situation, or if it didn’t go away, it would at least become manageable in a way I could not fathom.
Just as with worrying over small matters, my worrying about the big issues accomplished nothing. In both cases, God was in control, working out all things and through all things to achieve his perfect will for me.
But don’t we all fall into this trap? We allow our worries, both big and small, to take up residence in our minds, transforming situations into insurmountable obstacles.
Luke 12:25-26 cuts straight to the heart of our tendency to worry. Jesus, with His holy wisdom, points out a fundamental truth about worry—it’s not just unproductive; it’s powerless to change our circumstances.
God is the one and only one with the power to control our circumstances. He may work through us and others to bring about change, but he is the one in control.
In 1 Peter 5:7, he calls us to cast all our anxieties on him—not just the small ones and not just the big ones, but every single concern that weighs on our hearts. This isn’t just a suggestion to stop worrying; it’s an active invitation to transfer our burdens to the only One capable of handling them.
When we decide to trust God with our concerns, something amazing happens! We feel a sense of freedom that helps us embrace the present moment and let go of worries about what tomorrow might bring. Whether it’s a troublesome hair day or a big life change, knowing that God looks after every detail of our lives is comforting.
Jesus explains this truth in Matthew 6:26-30. He reminds us that if God takes such good care of the lilies of the field and the birds of the air, imagine how much more he treasures and will take care of us! This reminds us of our worth in God’s eyes and his unwavering commitment to looking after every part of our lives.
Today, I want to challenge us—and I say us because I still fall into the worry trap easier than I like —to take a practical step toward trust. Instead of allowing worry to consume our mental and emotional energy, let’s redirect that same intensity toward prayer and faith.
When worry creeps in, let’s see it as a reminder to turn our thoughts toward God, transforming our worry into worship, as stated in Philippians 4:6. Only then will we experience a true peace that exceeds our greatest imaginings, as written in Philippians 4:7.
Remember, the God who orchestrates the seasons, maintains the delicate balance of nature, and knows the number of hairs on your head—even when they do not lie as we desire—cares for our well-being. He doesn’t care just about the spiritual aspects of our lives; he cares about everything that affects his children.
Heavenly Father, we recognize our tendency to worry about both big and small things. Forgive us for the times we’ve let worry overshadow our trust in your perfect care. Please, Lord, help us to entrust our concerns to your capable hands and teach us to turn moments of worry into opportunities for prayer. Thank you for your patient love and constant care. Amen.
What specific worry are you holding onto that you need to entrust to God’s loving care? How could your perspective shift if you saw this concern through the lens of his faithfulness?
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