Thursday, September 15, 2016

Principles for Stress-Free Living - Principle #4

God didn't make you a cut flower. Matthew 6:28-30

And why do you worry about clothes? Learn how the wildflowers of the field grow: they don't labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these! If that's how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won't He do much more for you--you of little faith?



How we worry about how we look!  Age lines, creative weight distribution, balding, and skin spots create more anxiety which creates more...you guessed it...more things to worry about!  Jesus says, “How about accepting the picture of who I made you to be and stop worrying so much about the frame?  All of your worry is not going to add one positive thing to your life.”

Image consciousness has surely reached an all-time high.  The multi-billion dollar industries built around the maintenance and remodeling of our bodies is staggering; especially when compared to the worldwide needs of the hungry and sick.  America’s preoccupation with name brands and fads keeps the bearings greased on the cycle of our adornment addiction.

Sadly, some become trapped in depression, desperation, diseases and disorders due to this very worry about not being the proper size or having the proper things.  Bulimia and anorexia claim the lives of young ladies.  A young man is shot or beaten for his tennis shoes or jacket.  Do we not see what we are doing?  A mother walks through a food center and casually says to her daughter, “If I gain another pound your dad will hate me.”  The message is clear...thin is in.

Does this mean we should not care for ourselves or ignore or appearance?  Absolutely not!  We have a testimony to share and a message to deliver.  It is important to look good and feel good before others to gain their ear for our message.  

Jesus says, “Why are worried about your clothes?  Don’t you know I will adorn you?”

The adornment of Christ is not fashion oriented but countenance centered.  The beauty of His spirit and peace shining from the face of a believer gains far more attention than any article of clothing we can wear.  The words of grace and encouragement spoken in love become adornments that draw people to us.

When you walk through a garden, look at the beauty of the flowers and remember what Jesus said, “won't He do much more for you--you of little faith?”

This means that we can keep growing and trusting that God will continues to feed and nourish us to accomplish His purpose as He does all His creation.  Just remember...God works from the outside-in, not the inside-out.



Scripture to Claim:
For I know the plans I have for you"--this is the LORD's declaration--"plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  Jeremiah 29:11

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