God’s Provision

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?  Matthew 6:26-27

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Thought I’d remind us of God’s provision today.

His provision of earthly needs like TP, food, water.

His provision of spiritual needs like forgiveness and grace.

And His ultimate authority over the devil.

And also His provision of emotional needs like comfort and peace.

God’s storehouses are always filled to overflowing.

His power knows no bounds.

Even for our physical needs?

Yep.

Remember the Isrealites?

He fed them in the desert.

Every day.

He knows your every need.  Even your physical ones.

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Funny story:  yes, I’m still stuck on finding toilet paper.

Where is it all, I still beg to know?

Recently, my son, who lives on his own, was over for lunch.

Said he was down to his last roll of TP.

Discovered my mother was rationing as well.

My daughter calls, says a pallet of TP has literally just been unwrapped on the floor of the store.

Immediately, we jump into the car and run into the store, locating our mystified treasure.

Sure enough, there’s some.

Not a ton, maybe 50 packages.

My son, husband and I each grab one.

Score!

Literally feel as if we have won the lottery.

We deliver one to my folks, not getting too close, of course.

They are truly grateful.

And so is my son.

Have I seen any more TP in the stores since then?

Nope.

Still don’t know where it all has gone.

But when my son and parents needed it, God delivered.

Shouldn’t be surprising.

God sees you.

He sees your every need.

And He’s got it.

He’s more than enough to cover you emotionally.

He’s more than enough to cover you spiritually.

And He’s more than enough to cover you physically.

Keep trusting Him for enough.

Because He is.

He is enough.

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:19 (NIV)

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Photos by Claudiu HegedusMarkus SpiskeWill Bolding, & Guido Jansen on Unsplash

Toilet Paper

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.        2 Timothy 1:7

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The spirit of fear is real.

And it is NOT from God.

Nor are the feelings of panic or anxiety.

They are also NOT from God.

Rushing to purchase extra toilet paper stems from fear.

Combing stores for even more supplies rises from fear when your pantry is already overflowing.

Submitting to anxiety while watching the news creates a response in your body that long term, will lower your immune system.

Science backs it up.

Fear is not good for you.

Fear binds you up.

Fear causes you to react irrationally.

It is the opposite of peace, which is ordained by God.

Instead of fear, God has given us power.

His power.

He has given us love.

His love.

And He has given us a sound mind.

His.

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When we refuse the thoughts of fear and embrace God’s words of truth,

When we submit to His love for ourselves and others,

And when we use His power to stay in peace,

Fear will melt away.

Anxiety will leave.

Our mind, body, soul, and spirit will be filled with Him.

Choose to focus on Him.

Choose to weight fear with wisdom.

You’ll be able to walk away from the toilet paper, the eggs, or the cleaning supplies at the store, leaving it for someone who really does need it.

Yes, we all like to be prepared, but let it rise from wisdom, not fear.

And in the end, trust in Him for all of it.

Even more toilet paper.

Photos by Joseph Barrientos & Claire Mueller on Unsplash