Are You Scared of Bears?
June 17, 2022
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
~Matthew 6:33-34
Are you scared of bears? Several years ago, we were at Yosemite National Park and while we were there, we encountered a bear. He wasn’t too big as bears go but he was intimidating nonetheless. He was drawn to the trash and was making quite a racket. He would dive into the trash and pull out something that caught his attention. He would play with it or eat on it for a little bit and then dive back in. All the while unintentionally generating fear in those around him!
I don’t know about you, but this week I have heard an awful lot about bears. The bear market, that is! Not quite the same, but still intimidating. This bear can still cause fear. Are you scared of bears?
The reports about the market are concerning. And the way the information is reported can generate anxiety. We wonder, what does this mean for my retirement? What does this mean for
my future? We wonder and we might have some fear.
But Jesus tells us not to worry. “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” Do not worry? Said no mother, ever! There seems to be so much to worry about. If you are like me, you could make the professional sports team of worry!
But Jesus says that we are not to worry because “each day has enough trouble of its own.” Yes, there is so much to worry about. There is so much that instigates fear within us. If you don’t believe me, just turn on the news for five minutes! There is plenty to worry about.
Jesus tells us not to worry because each day has trouble of its own. But if we simply tell ourselves not to worry, that will just be one more thing to worry about. We will worry about worrying too much. If we are not going to worry, we will need something to keep our focus. Rather than focusing on our worries such as the news or the problems at home or the concerns of work, disciples of Jesus are to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Focus on Jesus’ teachings. Read scripture. Give your focus to these things rather than to your worries. This is what our teacher teaches us to do. Do your best. But don’t worry about whether or not you are too worried! Keep at it and pretty soon you won’t fear the bear!
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Caroline