Social distancing, meetings by Zoom, grabbing door handles with paper napkins, empty shelves in grocery stores, small businesses trying to survive, people being laid off, concerns about healthcare workers, shortages of necessary needed medical supplies, the death rate climbing at a staggering rate, and knowing that it is not a matter of if but when my loved ones will get the coronavirus; these were just a few of the thoughts swirling in my head when I got home from the church yesterday afternoon.
Needing a change of scenery, I got in the gator and drove out into the pasture to check on the cows. Some of the cows were slowly wandering over the pasture eating grass, while others casually lay in the bluebonnets, soaking up the sun’s warmth. That’s when I saw my favorite cow.
Sweet Pea is a huge Brahman that is eight months pregnant. She was one of the cows that had decided to nap in the sun.
I got out of the gator and sat on the ground next to Sweet Pea. As I scratched her neck, I realized the only sound I heard was cows eating grass and the gentle breeze. In that moment of clarity and peace, I understood what I had done. I had allowed the demon of worry dominate my thinking and outlook on life. This is where the cows reminded me that worrying about things that are completely out of my control was nothing but a waste and not God’s will for my life.
Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. 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 can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?” (Matthew 6:25-27)
Today you are going to be tempted to worry. Don’t do it. Nothing productive will come of it. Now this doesn’t mean throw caution to the wind. That’s absurd. Nowhere in the Bible will you see: “Be Ye Stupid.” But God does not want you to obsess over something that you have no control.
Choose to live your life trusting in the One who is always with you and loves you more than life itself. That’s the only sure bet. And it is the only way you will have true peace in the midst of the storm.
Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, when I am tempted to give into worry, fill my mind with peace. Remind me of your love and power. Help me trust. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
In a few weeks, Sweet Pea will give birth to a beautiful calf. It will be a reminder that life goes on and God is good. What else matters?
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins
Daily Devotionals by Dr. Tom Robbins 