Does Tomorrow's Economy = Fear and Worry?

I have been washing my zip lock bags, because I have been trying to be frugal. We no longer have a Cosco card and I just can't stomach buying a little box of zip lock bags for the going price. And then one of my friends has been talking about her fears about the possibility of no more plastic bags and so I have been saving and even washing out my produce bags and saving them. I did think it was a little over doing it. On Friday, one of my friends asked me, "And what are you going to do with those bags?" I honestly don't know. (Thanks J, I now know I am being ridiculous) The first thought I had was what the Flylady would say about this..... Really now, why are we saving our garbage? To add to the clutter?

I have been worried about the economy since last Fall. Afraid for what life will be like soon. The gas prices have caused our family to have to cut our budget. Things cost more now and our income is less. I know that I am not the only one with these fears and worries. My friends have been talking about frugal, making things, saving things, and being self sufficient. These are all good things, but I believe we are motivated for the wrong reasons.


For the month that followed 9/11 we had the news on every waking moment. Fear of terrorist blowing up our malls was one I shared with many. I was truly depressed. I called my pasture and before I could ramble on, he interrupted with these words... "What do you fear?"


My remember my response seemed so lame at that moment. As lame as believing in monsters in the closet.

My pasture's next response was....
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear." 1 John 4:18
"Then you will know the truth , and the truth will set you free." John 8:32


And how does this apply to now?


What do I fear?
-hunger, will there be enough money to feed us?
-cold, will we be able to pay our electric bill?
-homeless, will we lose our home?
-etc...


This all shows that I lack faith in God to provide for my needs.


What is the truth?
-God will always provide food. (Just for a giggle - Worse case scenario, we could eat raccoon, pigeons, and seagulls. lol By the way, I have a recipe for pigeon.)
-God will provide all of our clothing and means to keep us warm. Look around, don't we already have plenty.
-God will provide shelter. If we do lose our home, we will just rent a home or apartment.

And here is the truth that will set us free from our worry and fears about our economy.

From Matthew 6:25-34
Do Not Worry
25"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 important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

So enough worrying about tomorrow, I am going to practice this truth and be set free.