SCRIPTURE

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” - Matthew 6:31-34 NLT

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PRAYER

Heavenly Father,

The “what ifs” are overwhelming right now. There is such an unsettling feeling of living within the what ifs, the best case or worst case scenarios. Charts and graphs emanate hope and fear in ever-changing, lopsided subjectivity—it’s hard to know what to believe. So I turn my attention from the what ifs of this world, and lean into you and the known: you provide. You don’t eliminate the trouble, but you know my needs in the midst of them and will give me what I need to get through. May I live in the here and now, find hope in your abounding grace, and let go of consuming worry.

In the name of the Provider,

Amen.

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JOURNAL REFLECTION

On a piece of paper, write “What ifs” on one side, and “Knowns” on the other. Under the “What ifs” side, keep track of what you are doing and how much time you are spending seeking out news reports, predictions of the various components of this pandemic, social media updates. On the “Knowns” side, record what you are doing and the amount of time you are seeking God and the things of his kingdom (serving, praising, praying, loving others, actively spending time with God, creative hospitality). How well are you doing at converting the “What ifs” column into the “Knowns” column?

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CALL TO ACTION

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the slate of our daily lives has been completely cleared. Our families and jobs and personal lives have collided at home, and each day of the week is indistinct from the next. During this challenging time, God has given us the opportunity to hit the reset button on our lives and reassess what’s truly important. Today, focus on the “Knowns” on your list and display them somewhere you can be reminded of God’s constancy, omnipotence, and love.