March 18th, 2022
by Mike DePope
by Mike DePope

Friday, March 18
WORRY by Suzanne Bassler
Matthew 6:25-34
“Therefore, I say to you, don’t worry about your life, what you’ll eat or what you’ll drink, or about your body, what you’ll wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds in the sky. They don’t sow seed or harvest grain or gather crops into barns. Yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than they are? Who among you by worrying can add a single moment to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? Notice how the lilies in the field grow. They don’t wear themselves out with work, and they don’t spin cloth. But I say to you that even Solomon in all of his splendor wasn’t dressed like one of these. If God dresses grass in the field so beautifully, even though it’s alive today and tomorrow it’s thrown into the furnace, won’t God do much more for you, you people of weak faith? Therefore, don’t worry and say, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ Gentiles long for all these things. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them. Instead, desire first and foremost God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, stop worrying about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Reflection
If you are anything like me, worry seeps in when you least expect it. It is over very random things, generally ones that will never happen. I don’t think of myself as an anxious person, at least I didn’t use to. Then I got married and had kids and I think that has completely changed me, who wouldn’t be changed by these milestones. I am sure all the moms and dads out there can relate. But, I don’t say this lightly as we have faced many obstacles that would change anyone from carefree to anxious. In 2015, my husband was diagnosed with Leukemia. In 2016 we found out we would not be able to have children on our own. We went through IVF and ended up having our first son in 2017. Things were stable and good, but I often found myself consumed with scenarios that will probably never happen. In 2019 we got pregnant with our other son. That happy news quickly became very scary. I was labeled as high risk and even put on bed rest for a good chunk of my pregnancy. When our son was born, we found out that he has a rare skin condition and he was assigned a whole team of doctors. Between my husband and son, our lives are filled with doctors and appointments. For my husband, any illness can be severe and potentially life threatening. For my son, any bump, bruise, or new unexplained mark is unsettling and generally warrants a call to his doctor.
When we are anxious or worrying, there are so many things we can turn to. Sometimes seeing friends and talking, meditation and relaxation, listening to music or calming sounds can be very beneficial. For some, therapy is best. In the uncertain times that we have had, we have learned to lean into our faith more than anything else. God has brought us through some truly tough valleys. We have learned to give all of these things to God, to focus on the good and enjoy the moments we have together. I, personally, have learned that spending my time and energy worrying about things I cannot change is useless. It takes away from the wife and mother I want to be. Does it still happen, absolutely, I am only human. But, I know now, that everything is done on God’s time and that is where I find peace.
Question for Contemplation
How often is Jesus the first one we turn to? How often is our natural instinct to turn to prayer? What are some worries that you can put to God and let go of?
Prayer
God, we ask that you are with us right now. Whatever we are struggling with or worrying about, we give it to you. Fill our hearts and minds with peace. Remind us of all the good, all the peaks in our life, that deserve the energy we are putting towards worrying. Give us the rest we need so that we can serve you better. In your holy name we pray. Amen
“Therefore, I say to you, don’t worry about your life, what you’ll eat or what you’ll drink, or about your body, what you’ll wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds in the sky. They don’t sow seed or harvest grain or gather crops into barns. Yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than they are? Who among you by worrying can add a single moment to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? Notice how the lilies in the field grow. They don’t wear themselves out with work, and they don’t spin cloth. But I say to you that even Solomon in all of his splendor wasn’t dressed like one of these. If God dresses grass in the field so beautifully, even though it’s alive today and tomorrow it’s thrown into the furnace, won’t God do much more for you, you people of weak faith? Therefore, don’t worry and say, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ Gentiles long for all these things. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them. Instead, desire first and foremost God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, stop worrying about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Reflection
If you are anything like me, worry seeps in when you least expect it. It is over very random things, generally ones that will never happen. I don’t think of myself as an anxious person, at least I didn’t use to. Then I got married and had kids and I think that has completely changed me, who wouldn’t be changed by these milestones. I am sure all the moms and dads out there can relate. But, I don’t say this lightly as we have faced many obstacles that would change anyone from carefree to anxious. In 2015, my husband was diagnosed with Leukemia. In 2016 we found out we would not be able to have children on our own. We went through IVF and ended up having our first son in 2017. Things were stable and good, but I often found myself consumed with scenarios that will probably never happen. In 2019 we got pregnant with our other son. That happy news quickly became very scary. I was labeled as high risk and even put on bed rest for a good chunk of my pregnancy. When our son was born, we found out that he has a rare skin condition and he was assigned a whole team of doctors. Between my husband and son, our lives are filled with doctors and appointments. For my husband, any illness can be severe and potentially life threatening. For my son, any bump, bruise, or new unexplained mark is unsettling and generally warrants a call to his doctor.
When we are anxious or worrying, there are so many things we can turn to. Sometimes seeing friends and talking, meditation and relaxation, listening to music or calming sounds can be very beneficial. For some, therapy is best. In the uncertain times that we have had, we have learned to lean into our faith more than anything else. God has brought us through some truly tough valleys. We have learned to give all of these things to God, to focus on the good and enjoy the moments we have together. I, personally, have learned that spending my time and energy worrying about things I cannot change is useless. It takes away from the wife and mother I want to be. Does it still happen, absolutely, I am only human. But, I know now, that everything is done on God’s time and that is where I find peace.
Question for Contemplation
How often is Jesus the first one we turn to? How often is our natural instinct to turn to prayer? What are some worries that you can put to God and let go of?
Prayer
God, we ask that you are with us right now. Whatever we are struggling with or worrying about, we give it to you. Fill our hearts and minds with peace. Remind us of all the good, all the peaks in our life, that deserve the energy we are putting towards worrying. Give us the rest we need so that we can serve you better. In your holy name we pray. Amen
Posted in Lent Devotional 2022
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Archive
2025
January
Happy New Year // M-Note 1.4.2025Cancel the Noise // M-Note 1.11.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 1The Beloved Community // M-Note 01.18.2025Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 2What A Coincidence // M-Note 1.25.25Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 3Cancel the Noise Discussion Guide - Part 4The Original Influencer // M-Note 2.1.25
February
The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 1Exploring New Sites…And You’re Invited // M-Note 2.8.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 2Uncovering Implicit Bias // M-Note 2.15.2025A "Flurry" of Activity // M-Note 2.22.25The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 3The Beloved Community Discussion Guide - Part 4
March
Beloved Community Action Steps // M-Note 3.1.25Vulnerability & Wilderness | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 1Trusting the Spirit's Lead | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 2Courageous Connection | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 3What's Your Emotional IQ? // M-Note 3.8.25The Spaces Between Us | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 4Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 1Jesus Weeps With You | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 5When Sadness Lingers | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 6Lurking in the Shadows | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 7Cycles of Life and Death | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 8Inked in Memory | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 9The Void of Grief | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 10Sending Forth // M-Note 3.15.25Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 2Journey Not Alone | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 11Friends Along the Way | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 12The Loneliness of Fear | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 13Not Through With You Yet | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 14Clinging to Hope | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 15Bring It To The King | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 16Pray When Unsteady | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 17Courage to Stand for Faith | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 18Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 3A Holy Rage | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 19Focus on What is Holy | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 20Fast for Justice and Kindness | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 21The World is Harsh and Beautiful | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 22I Feel Sorry for Jesus | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 23i flipped a table once | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 24Emotional Rollercoaster Discussion Guide - Part 4Ain’t Got Nothin’ | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 25
2024
January
Clean Slate: Week 1 Discussion GuideStarting & Sustaining Change // M-Note 1.6.24Clean Slate: Week 2 Discussion GuideStarting Small, Dreaming Big // M-Note 1.13.24Clean Slate: Week 3 Discussion GuideTogether Towards Change...and Healthy Habits // M-Note 1.20.24Clean Slate: Week 4 Discussion GuideSlowing Down for God to Show Up // M-Note 1.27.24
February
More Isn't Always Better // M-Note 2.3.24Money Talks: Week 1 Discussion GuideAshes for Valentine's Day? // M-Note 2.10.24Money Talks: Week 2 Discussion GuideLenten Devotional 2024Money Talks: Week 3 Discussion GuideWhat's your legacy? // M-Note 2.17.24Strength in Numbers: Community in Ministry // M-Note 2.24.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week One
March
Entourage Discussion Guide - Week TwoUpdates from Clayton and Easter Invitation // M-Note 3.2.24Twenty Students Confirmed Last Sunday // M-Note 3.9.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 3How serving at Easter can really make a difference // M-Note 3.16.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 4Can You Know Joy Without Pain? // M-Note 3.23.24Entourage Discussion Guide - Week 5It's time for EasterSTL at The Factory // M-Note 3.28.24
April
Easter Discussion GuideScreen Time: Troubleshooting our Relationship with Technology // M-Note 4.6.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 1Springtime Reminders: Joy Comes with the Morning // M-Note 4.13.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 2Shaping the Future at the UMC General Conference // M-Note 4.20.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 3 General Conference Halftime Report// M-Note 4.27.24Screen Time Discussion Guide - Week 4
May
Very Good News at the End of General Conference//M-Note 5.4.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 1Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 2Announcing The Gathering’s Church Planters Lab//M-Note 5.11.24My (Hypothetical) Commencement Address // M-Note 5.18.24Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 3Uncomfortable Truths Discussion Guide - Week 4
June
July
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