"Which of you by taking thought
can add one cubit unto his stature?"
-- Matthew 6:27

My wife has developed a green thumb.

Since our little boy Jacob, now 18 months, loves playing in the backyard, my wife has more time on her hands to do what I call the "flower thing."

Flower beds are springing up all over the yard.  Birdhouses are going up like they were mini-condos with a "Vacancy" sign on them.  "Soaker" hoses,  trellis', scallops and lava rock are all scattered throughout the landscape.

Even my wife's language has changed.  Terms like "perennial" and "annual" have started creeping into our conversations. 

She's having a wonderful time.  And it brings me joy seeing her enjoy herself so.

Now, one thing that I noticed immediately about what my wife has been doing in the yard is this:  she makes sure the weeds don't choke out the flowers.

Sometimes she pulls the weeds, other times she squirts some kind of nuclear toxic waste glowing green slimy stuff onto them.  :o)

She wants them gone.  Even those little weeds that don't seem like much of a problem.  She knows that all weeds, regardless of their size, will choke out the beauty of the flowers if they are given the chance.

These weeds remind me of "worry."  In fact, the word "worry" comes from an old Anglo-Saxon word meaning...

..."to strangle or choke."

You see, here's the thing.  Christ Jesus is planting beautiful flowers into your life.  Flowers like peace and joy and faith and hope and assurance. 

And satan is sowing the weed of worry.

He wants you to doubt and mistrust and become anxious about the circumstances you are facing in your life.  He wants to plant thoughts in your mind to disappoint and discourage and depress and deceive.

He wants you to think that God doesn't care about what you are going through, that you are all alone, and that you are in a hopeless situation.

He wants to strangle and choke your faith, just like a weed.  He uses worry to overgrow the garden that Jesus is cultivating in your heart and life.

But, here's the exciting part.  He can't do it without your permission!

All you have to do is say, "I'll not buy into your lies." Just pull the weeds of worry out by their root by placing your complete trust into the hands of Jesus Christ. Squirt the weed killer of hope and trust in the Lord upon the lies of the deceiver.

Christian, what are you worried about today?  Is there some situation in your life that has you doubting or lacking assurance or not fully trusting in the Savior?  Are the circumstances you face a bit overwhelming and causing you to spend time feeling frightened or discouraged or depressed?

Don't let those weeds choke out the flowers!

Instead -- right now where you are -- look up towards the Great Gardener and ask Him to destroy those weeds by renewing your faith in Him.

And let those flowers bloom bright in your life.

"Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."  - Mark 9:24

Have a "Wonderful DAY in Christ,"
Jimmy D. Brown
\o/ Praise Jesus!