Things & Others

Things

People constantly strive for possessions—more stuff, better stuff, bigger stuff. In this quest to have material things, they can allow the desire for things to distract from their commitment to the Lord. Thankfully, Jesus gave the answer to the problem.

Matthew 6:25-34: “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

Others

In addition to possessions, relationships with other people can become a hindrance to your walk with God. While healthy relationships are vital, sometimes you can get stuck in unhealthy ones. What is the difference? In healthy relationships, you are encouraged to become all that God created you to be. These people hold you accountable for your choices and love you into wholeness. In unhealthy relationships, either you are controlled, manipulated, or forced into situations that squelch your ability to grow in the Lord, or you are doing the same to others.

Who in your life has been a help in your walk with God?

Who in your life do you feel has been a hindrance?

Are you willing to let God guide that relationship?