As the author of a book on anxiety, I do a lot of speaking about the topic. As a result, I’ve met many people who are worried about lots of things. Somewhere near the top of the list are those who are struggling financially. Many people don’t know how they will pay their rent, buy food or pay their bills. Jesus has a clear message about this matter. It has nothing to do with financial irresponsibility or burying one’s head in the sand. Rather, it’s a reminder that we should place our trust in God’s providence. The road may be bumpy, there could be lots of twists and turns, but the Lord really does understand that we have material needs. Read this passage, over and over if necessary. In the meantime, keep praying and trust…
?Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat [or drink], or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, you of little faith? So do not worry and say, ?What are we to eat?? or ?What are we to drink?? or ?What are we to wear?? All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.” (Matthew 6:25-33)
Well said
Now send a copy to evey member on Capital Hill Particularly the President
Every elected member of the EU
ALL Family Planning
And Prayer before during and after delivery
When I become fearful of anything I repeat the scripture verse from 2 Timothy 1:7 that says, “God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”. This verse has been instrumental in helping me make a career change when I felt the Lord calling me to do something new. I also at that time meditated on the story of St. Peter who was called by the Lord to walk on the water. As a result of this scripture verse from Paul’s Letter to Timothy and the story of St. Peter, I was able to sustain my peace of mind in an uncertain and fearful situation for me. I made the career change. So many things after that fell into place in a short period of time.
I continue to do spiritual battle against the enemy of fear whenever I feel that shiver go up my spine about anything.
God is good! He will work things out. You are right when you say we should put our trust in God’s Providence. Let’s continue to remind each other of this.
God bless!
Thanks for mentioning those verses, Mary Jane…they are good ones. Having made a major career change myself (from project manager to full time Catholic Evangelist), I know what you’re talking about. For a few years I wanted to make the move, but I was afraid. I also wasn’t 100 % sure that it was what God wanted and I didn’t want my family to suffer. In His mercy, God allowed me to get laid off last January and my wife and I decided that I should go for it. It was a little rocky in the beginning, but now I’m confident that the Lord will provide and He has. What I still need to get used to, however, is that He provides for us ONE DAY AT A TIME. That is something new for me, but I’m learning!
God Bless,
Gary
A full time Catholic Evangelist ? Can you tell me more about your job and how you get paid. Do you work FOR the church? Thanks and God Bless Jeff
Hi Jeff – My story still amazes me! I do not work for the Church. I make my living from donations, book royalties (I’m an author) and speaking appearances. We’ve also had to cut back A LOT. It’s certainly not a conventional career, but one that is incredibly rewarding. I always believed that God would provide for my family if He truly wanted me to do this. It just took me a while to discern if it was His will. The layoff helped make up my mind and I am grateful for it!
Thanks for the info. I have been looking for something else to and to work the church in some way and to help people with conversion or whatever seems to keep popping up in my head so I guess I will keep praying for my answer. Thanks again and good luck and God Bless Jeff
I’ll pray you, Jeff. Keep praying and the Lord will reveal His will to you. It just may take a while!
I’d like to tell you my story, Gary, but not online. Can you make this happen? Thanks!
I’d love to hear it, Mary Jane. Right now, I’m up against some tight deadlines and my time is very limited. I’ll try to send you an email.
Gary, Thanks for your comment. I’m a physician, and I feel God is calling me to be a Catholic evangelist. But I don’t know how to go about it. How did you start?
Thanks again,
Judy
Wow, Judy…that’s amazing! I’d urge you to pray about it and get a spiritual director if necessary. I started by blogging and speaking at my parish. I got a lot of positive comments and one day I was contacted by EWTN radio to speak about a blog post that I had written. After 3 years and A LOT of prayer, I was laid off from my day job and I decided to pursue full time work for the Lord. I have no regrets, but I can’t stress the discernment part enough. This may sound strange, but initially being a Catholic Evangelist was what I wanted to do. It was going to make me feel good, etc. After a few years, I desired to do what God wanted me to do, even if it meant staying at my job as a project manager. Once my attitude shifted, I was laid off and started working for the Lord full time. I believe that He needed to change me first. Feel free to contact me (gary@followingthetruth.com) if I can be of service.
God Bless,
Gary
Thank you for this article. I think it is providential that I stumbled upon this article. It had been a grueling one month since Dec 10. I had never had this kind of stress in my life before and felt I might have a heart attack. To make a long story short, I had a fall out with management and was fired. I am still fighting to preserve my license to practice my nursing. I knew the accusations they have laid against me are twisted facts and I have been having disturbed sleep and in fact had 3 hours of sleep only as I need to respond to the allegations and need to submit it today. I kept on encountering verses about crosses, and yesterday just flipped through the Bible and again saw verses that should let me abandon anxiety. My mind is still foggy until now so can’t remember which part of the Bible I encountered. I am struggling to pray and trust and it is my mom who kept on saying that God has answered my prayers for wanting to have a career change (I have found something that I really love to do but was just not too sure and ready to plunge or have the leap of faith and my indecision has been going on for months). But I told her that I didn’t expect it to be this way.
Well, just wanting to let you know am extremely grateful for this article and to the comment of Mary Jane Keppler Cole too and to your comment about being laid off. I felt that our Blessed Mother just sent me a bulletin from heaven today!. This is a gift. I won’t have a heart attack from the stress after all ;-). I have not been sleeping for weeks! Talk about lack of faith. It’s quite difficult to apply in real situations. Am like Peter drowning and I indeed had that imagery.
Thank you.
God bless.
You’ll be in my daily prayers, Sophie. Feel free to contact me (gary@followingthetruth.com) if I can be of service in any way.
Peace,
Gary
p.s: When I first saw the title of this article, I thought at first it is written by somebody from the protestant denomination etc. Am so glad that it is from a Catholic ! I don’t know why but seems like I encountered more articles from non-Catholics who deal with real struggles of people (maybe it is not true but just my impression :). Thanks for sharing again.
I think you may be right, Sophie. As Catholics, we have to remember that we have the answer to our problems not only through God’s word in the Bible, but especially by His real presence in the Eucharist!
God Bless,
Gary
Sometimes it does seem like God has more regard for other creatures than for my children and my family. So many times this past year I’ve been tempted to walk away because of our financial hardships and our prayers to God being unanswered. I still struggle. I’m so far away in my faith than where I used to be. Why does God let my children suffer when my husband and I try to do everything we can the right way?
Hi Mary – First, let me say that I will pray for you and your family. I’m sure it is very difficult for you. Although it’s not easy for us to accept, God does allow poverty to exist. In fact, Jesus lived His life in poverty and always had a special place in His heart for the poor. We may never understand why God does what He does, but it couldn’t hurt to ask Him. I would especially encourage you to ask Him how you can best serve Him in your poverty. By all means continue to pray for financial relief, but don’t forget to offer up your suffering and seek out how you can best serve Him. It’s possible that you’re in this situation so that you can help others.
God Bless,
Gary
I have a problem when we see and hear about people starving and who from this and other maladies due to lack of proper care and nutrition. What about all the concentration camps, ets.?
Hi Janet – You bring up some good points, but we need to trust that God knows what He’s doing and that He can always bring good out of evil. One reason that concentration camps existed is because the Lord has given us free will. As a result, people can abuse that privilege and commit sin. As for poverty, it does exist…there’s no doubt about it. What’s really sad is that there is more than enough food to go around if everyone would share what they have. There is a lesson there. Also, many impoverished people are extremely close to the Lord because of the fact that they have less distractions in their lives. Jesus did state that it is difficult for the rich to enter heaven. These are just some of my possible explanations, but fall far short of God’s supreme wisdom. Sometimes we just have to place our trust in Him and acknowledge that we’re never going to figure out everything that He does.
God Bless,
Gary
Hope, Pray, and Don’t Worry
Gary,
Thanks for this post. I needed it. I don?t know if you are aware but Our Lady of Medjugorje instructs us to meditate on this passage at least once a week. Whatever one may think of what is happening at the site, it is good advice either way. Praise be Jesus.
In Her Immaculate Heart,
Jason
Hi Jason – I have heard that before. Thanks for the reminder!
God Bless,
Gary
Thanks for the article Gary. I came across it thru another website. I do find comfort in it but also wonder if I need to do something different and how to know if it’s what God is telling me. I’ve seen Him provide in the past yet sometimes it’s hard not to worry when finances are tight. Our family, 3 children-19-17 &15, is at a time in our lives when it seems that everything is coming due to be replaced at the same time such as cars, furniture, appliances, etc. And wages aren’t keepinp pace with the cost of living.
I agree, Steve. Sometimes it’s not easy to tell the difference between when God is calling us to take action and when He’s calling us to trust. If you’ll notice, Jesus isn’t saying not to take action and be resourceful. He’s saying to not worry about things over which we have no control, focusing instead on building up spiritual treasures. Discernment is very important in this process, however. A little while ago, I wrote a blog post which may help.
https://followingthetruth.com/discerning-gods-will-in-3-steps/
I’ll keep you in my prayers and ask that you do the same for me.
God Bless,
Gary