Jesus said, “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” (Matthew 6:34). When money is running low and we don’t know where it will come from to meet a need arising tomorrow, next week or next month, is it disobedience to think about that? Don’t we have to plan ahead and prepare for tomorrow? The first question to ask (or think about) is ‘Do I have food, clothing and shelter for today’? St. Paul advised in I Timothy 6:8, “Having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” For 40 years in the wilderness the Israelites could only gather manna for one day. If they worried about tomorrow and gathered more, it spoiled overnight.
Contentment and anxiety can’t occupy the same brain cells at the same time. If anxiety is consuming neurons’ capacity, contentment (a spiritual mindset) has no biological resources to support it. Can we control what our brain cells are occupied with? Apparently, otherwise Jesus is telling us to do what we can’t. Paul said in Philippians 4: 6-7, “Be anxious for nothing but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace (contentment) of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Prayer and thanksgiving guards our brain cells from anxiety.
Amazon, the world’s largest bookseller, reports that The Hunger Games, The Harry Potter Series, Pride and Prejudice and the Bible are its fastest selling books. And the most commonly highlighted verses in second hand Bibles sold is Philippians 4:6-7. We are so prone to worry when there is an immediate antidote.
If Christians are panicking who wants to become one? But watching someone who is steady as a rock, no matter what, inspires us to be like them. When the 12 Disciples’ boat was getting swamped in a storm and in peril of it sinking and everyone’s life being lost, Jesus was asleep. They woke him up, “Don’t you care that we perish?” They prayed a panic prayer without thanksgiving, but He answered anyway, “Why are you so afraid?” Then He instantly calmed the storm. The anxiety in their brain cells was supplanted with peace. Our Master showed us: even when there is a storm outside, there doesn’t need to be one inside. Pray and give thanks. Panic comes from unbelief. ‘Whatever is not of faith is sin.’ Romans 14:23.
For information on joining the Knights of Columbus / St. Bonaventure Council No. 12240, contact
Grand Knight Jude Hodges (954) 235-4524 [email protected].
or
Membership Director Joe Cox (954) 614-3209 [email protected]
You must be logged in to post a comment.