Life is often full of trials and challenges. It can be easy to become overwhelmed or stressed when these situations arise. We often lack control when these times come. When we lose control, we end up doing one of two things, freak out or trust.
Over the last year of being married, we have had countless challenges come our way. We totaled two cars in just a few months time. We had to learn how to juggle life, school, and marriage. We had to decide what was next. Circumstance after circumstance came our way. It became easy to freak out, to stress, to become anxious. We were unable to do anything else in our own strength. It was in these moments I was reminded of a simple truth.
God knows what I need.
Not only does God know what I need, but he also promises to give us just what we need.
Jesus says,
“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.” – Matthew 6:25-34
If God takes care of the birds and takes care of the flowers in the field how much more will he take care of His children? All we have to worry about is seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness and everything else that we need will be added to us. We don’t need to worry about wrecked cars and what we are going to eat and where we are going to sleep. He knows exactly what we need.
This truth gives us the power to walk in ultimate freedom. With this truth in mind, we can live radically, and we can take risks. We don’t have to live in anxiety and stress. We get to walk in truth.
All of this being said, this truth is what is carrying Annie and me to Mexico. We have seen the Lord graciously provide all that we need to go and live in Mexico and we know that he will continue to do that even when we step foot on Mexican soil.
One of my favorite songs ever is called, “Your Love is Strong” by Jon Foreman. One of the lyrics says “Why do I worry? Why do I freak out? God knows what I need.” This is the truth that we will hold on to for the rest of our days.
-Brett Balsley, GEM Missionary
If you’d like to support Brett and Annie as they serve with GEM in Juquila to share the gospel with this unreached town, you can do so HERE. You can also contact them directly to talk further about what it means to be on their support team and find out how you can be praying for them!