Active Theology

You may have heard of the phrase, “When it rains, it pours.”

In my case, the rain started about a month ago when I discovered a broken pipe in my backyard that resulted in digging my yard up and a very high water bill. The pouring continued this past week on Sunday morning when water from an old sink upstairs was dripping down through my office ceiling.

There’s never a good time to have water come through your ceiling, but the timing of these circumstances was especially poor. Not only had I just done repairs in my backyard, but I was also facing some other potentially expensive things. Between my old house, my aging Kia Sportage, doctor’s appointments, and planning for future expenses, my budget was already pretty tight. 

Thankfully, I have money set aside for emergencies like these, but even still, I felt very overwhelmed. Where should I put my money first? Can I afford to make payments? What do I prioritize as I try to fix things? It’s hard to know where to start when problems are piling up all at once. 

In the past, these situations would have led to a downward spiral followed by some panic. However, while I did find myself dwelling in discouragement for a bit, by God’s grace, a few verses came to mind that helped me to stop the spiral.

Matthew 6:31-33 says, “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  (NIV)

Jesus tells us many times throughout Scripture not to worry. But if we’re honest, there are times when it’s hard not to worry or dwell on our circumstances. In verse 33, Jesus reminds us that instead of dwelling on our trials, we are to seek His kingdom and His righteousness. 

You may have heard before that an effective way to stop bad habits is to replace those bad habits with better ones. For example, when someone is trying to stop smoking, they may try exercising or starting a new hobby to help “rewire” their thinking.

I think we can use this wisdom from Jesus in the same way. When we start to worry about our circumstances or what is in front of us, we can replace those worries with truth from God’s Word. We can put our minds on God’s Kingdom and His will for our lives while we also seek his righteousness and strive to be more like Christ. 

It’s also important to note that He says “seek first” His kingdom and His righteousness. If I’m being honest, it’s easier for me to first seek opinions from my family and friends or rely on my strength. But Jesus reminds us here to seek the Lord first. We are to come to Him and surrender our worries and circumstances to Him while remembering the truth about who He is. 

When you feel the rain start to come down, I encourage you to go to Jesus first. Pray to Him, read His Word, and dwell on His promises. Even more important than the money you may have put aside for emergencies is the truth about who God is and who He says we are. We can trust in Him to provide and have hope that He will make a way when it seems there’s no way. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for seeing me and knowing what I’m going through even before I come to you. Help me not to dwell on what’s going on, but to lay my worries down at your feet and focus on your promises. Even if my circumstances are ever-changing, you are continually faithful and forever on the throne.

Song: “Hope On the Horizon” by KXC & Rich & Lydia Dicas

Amanda is an Instructional Coach at Tonganoxie Elementary School.