Often Worried? Learn from the Sparrows

On a quiet morning, while exercising in a park, I heard the beautiful chirping of sparrows. It reminded me of Matthew 6:26: Look at the birds of the air: they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Father in heaven feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 

For a moment, I fell silent and reflected on how often I feel worried. Perhaps you are the same as I am. We worry about our work, a life partner, college, business, family, health, or the future. Worry, according to the Indonesian dictionary, is a feeling of fear, uneasiness, or anxiety about something not yet known for certain. So then, is that not something natural? Why does God say that we do not need to worry?

God Cares for the Birds, and for You Too

Worry arises because of a lack of trust in God's presence with us. It not only steals our joy and positive energy, but excessive worry can also cause stress and even diminish our desire for life. 

To overcome this lack of trust, let us consider this: why did the Lord use sparrows in the parable about worry, and not some other species of bird?

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father’s will. And even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore do not be afraid, for you are worth more than many sparrows.” – Matthew 10:29-31 

Sparrows are weak creatures and cheaply valued in the marketplace. So, if even they are cared for by God, how much more us, creations made in the image and likeness of God Himself, will He surely care for our lives? We are very precious to Him. So, trust that the Lord always sustains your life, through ways you may not expect. 

Worry will not make your life better. But confidence in God's presence with you will give you strength to go through every season of your life.

Focus on What You Have

Do not think only about what we do not have, while forgetting to see the good things we do have. Are you always worried because you are fixated only on your weaknesses and shortcomings? Or do you also give thanks for the potential and blessings you have received up to this day? 

I know a simple family. The father and mother earn a living by selling cakes, while their three children are still in school. This family has many reasons to worry. Yet they chose to focus on the strengths they have right now, instead of complaining or worrying excessively. 

This family is not shaken by worry or by a grumbling attitude that clearly will not improve the situation. Besides being high-achieving students at school, the three children in this family also help their parents make cakes. The father learned to use a smartphone so he could work as an onlinemotorcycle taxi driver. Meanwhile, the mother always makes sure all the household work is completed well. 

Even though their life is simple, this family is filled with peace and joy because its members feel sufficiently provided for and cared for by God. They know worry will not improve tomorrow, but instead weakens today’s joy.

Even though sparrows are tiny and fragile, their chirping is beautiful and clear. So, you surely also have something valuable that is your strength. Take time to know yourself. Write down your talents, potential, and strengths on a piece of paper. Perhaps you are patient, good at lightening the mood, dependable, or careful and neat. All of these are resources God has given to sustain you. 

Do not forget as well to reflect on the things you have been allowed to have up to this very moment. Whether it is health, complete limbs, intelligence, savings, children, parents, a spouse, friends, a vehicle, a house, clothes, or food, give thanks for all of it. Gratitude will overcome worry, which is often baseless because we are anxious about things that are not our portion or are beyond our control.

Seek a Positive Community

You tend to worry easily when you think about everything on your own, with no one to help. Sparrows often fly or perch in groups when looking for food. Like sparrows, you also need a community that can help you live more positively and productively. A saying goes, “A single broom straw means nothing, but if it is tied together with other broom straws, it will sweep everything.”

Spend time with positive people so that you will be more encouraged and not continually sink into anxiety. A healthy community does not give false promises or quick fixes to make your worries disappear instantly. A good community does not make you sink deeper, but instead gives you support and encouragement to become an even better person.

It is natural for people to worry, because we never know tomorrow. However, learn to surrender more fully to the Lord's care. Focus on your strengths and seek a community that can help you come out of worry. Amen.

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Church GKDI is currently present in 35 cities. We have Bible Study activities in every area; if you need information or would like to get involved, contact us at contact Church GKDI Official:
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