Today’s Encouragement is, “The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.”Matthew 13:22 NLT
Worries Of This Life –
Jesus explained God’s Truth in different ways, giving us every opportunity to hear, see, and understand. This parable of the sower in Matthew 13:1-9 explains that the Good News of Jesus, like seed, is spread freely and generously, everywhere without limitation. But the receptivity, our response when we hear The Truth, is the determining factor.
The worries of this life can ‘crowd out’ (the ESV says ‘choke’) God’s Truth. Notice he doesn’t say pain, past experience, injustice, misfortune, setbacks, or failures. It isn’t what happens to us; it is our thinking, our mindset, that controls us!
We choke out, crowd out God’s truth when we worry!
Worry is a habit, and a choice; He clearly tells us, “Don’t!” (Matthew 6:25-34). Like its brothers, anxiety and fear, worry is corrosive. These eat away our faith like cancer!
The antidote to worry, anxiety, and fear is trust in God. He is for you. He cares for you. He is our protector and provider. Worry feeds fear; it is poison to our souls. God’s Truth, His Word, and His Love bring hope, faith, and peace!
Thank You, Father, for so clearly teaching us the destructiveness of worry. We choose to believe Your Truth, to trust You for everything, and to refuse worry and fear, so that Your Truth can bear fruit in our lives. We pray in Jesus’ Name.
Do Not Worry
Ellie Holcomb
https://youtu.be/QhbK2GpbKTY?si=XpZCmb1xT5rNNXNA