There is a story about a young lawyer who was called in from the big city to represent a large railroad company that was being sued by a farmer. It seems that the farmer’s prize cow was missing from a field through which the railroad passed, and the farmer was suing for the value of the cow.

Before the case went to trial, the young lawyer cornered the farmer and convinced him to settle out of court for half of what he originally wanted. The farmer signed the necessary papers and graciously accepted the check. The young lawyer then could not resist gloating about his big success.

He said to the farmer, “You know, I could not have won this case if it had gone to trial. The engineer was sound asleep, and the foreman was in the caboose when the train passed through your farm that morning. I didn’t have a single witness to put on the stand.”

With a wry smile, the old farmer replied, “Well, to tell you the truth, young feller, I was a little worried about winning that case myself, because my prize cow came home this morning.” We worry about a lot of things, don’t we? And may I add, a lot of things worry us unnecessarily.

The bottom line is this: Worry has much to do with a poor perception of who God is and what He is like.

Look at these words from Matthew’s gospel. *“I tell you not to worry about everyday life – whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to Him than they are?”* (Matthew 6:25-26).

He goes on to say, *“Why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow,* (now watch this) *He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?”* (Matthew 6:28-30).

Faith is fundamental in the Christian faith. Faith speaks volumes about Whom you trust, and Whom you depend upon. *“Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs”* (Matthew 6:32).

Theologian Matthew Henry says it this way, “As He (God) is good to all, so He does good – He is good to all His creatures, from the highest angel to the meanest worm, to all but devils and damned sinners, that have shut themselves out from His goodness. All His creatures receive the fruit of His merciful care and bounty.”

Do you really believe that God will take care of you?

**QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION**

1. Do you have any worries today? What are they?

2. Are you able to release your worries to God? If not, read Matthew 6:28-30, 32 again. Release your worries and trust God to meet your needs today.

3. If you have surrendered your worries, who can you encourage today by telling your story of trust?

*Heavenly Father, help me to have more faith in You than I do in my problems. Amen.*