I had small group tonight and had a really encouraging time discussing Matt 6:25-34 with my small group guys. Part of it was because at the end we all realized that on some level or another, we are all worried about different things. But I think each person went away realizing the goodness of God and the benefit of seeking first after God. One of the guys brought up that when he hears the command "do not worry", he's more focused on what he can't do, rather than the promise that follows from not worrying. I think that really spoke to what my attitude is, that I don't think about the promise of peace that God gives.

This past week, I was really worrying about some school/research related issues. It bothered me so much that I became very irritable when anyone asked me about it, and I was thinking long and hard on what I was going to do about it. I think it was safe to say that it really consumed my thought life. And then one evening I came home and began preparing the study for my guys. God's Word hit me like a ton of bricks. I was so convicted that my attitude was the exact opposite of what I was reading. As I read in Matthew, Phillippians and Job, I saw that as I was worrying about school, I was lacking a trust that God was in control doing good.

This is not to say that my problem has gone away, but rather there's more peace now about working through this issue. We talked in small group how it can be easy to talk about what your response SHOULD be in any certain situation, but it's the response when you're actually in the situation that is tough. Being with these guys tonight was a real encouragement as I think we just kept speaking truth into each others lives regarding our individual worries. Hopefully as the days go by, I can continue to remind myself to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness".