Last year, we bought a kerosene heater. Our house is on mostly electric (no heater, fireplace, or stoves), so we were expecting the worst that didn’t come. This week, as we got several inches of snow (maybe not a big deal in some places, but in Southwestern Arkansas, it is), and, as we lost power on day 2 of the storm, we decided to bring the heater out again. It worked perfectly. The boys were able to go outside to play, and we felt as if we’d be able to handle the storm indefinitely (or, at least, as long as our Kerosene supply held out). Later that day, I went out and was able to find a pizza at the local gas station and the family and I had a hot meal. Everything we needed was supplied.
What did I learn from all of this? Trust in God. He’ll provide what the needs are. There is no need to stress or be anxious, we just have to trust and obey. In any and all circumstances, we ought to give thanks. And, above all, we ought to keep our eyes fixed on Christ, where the attention belongs.
Matthew 6:25-34
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Philippians 4:4-9
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
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