Look at the Birds of the Air
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life.”
This past year has been one of the most stretching and transformative seasons our family has ever experienced. We welcomed a second child, our precious Gavin, into our lives—a joyful miracle who brought with him a whole new set of challenges and blessings. Alongside this incredible gift, we continued navigating the sometimes turbulent waters of toddlerhood with Brayden. He was going through a phase filled with big emotions, testing boundaries, and asserting his will in ways that pushed us as parents to grow and adapt. Each day brought new surprises and sometimes frustration, as we sought to nurture him with love and patience.
Meanwhile, my husband Caleb made a significant change in his professional life. He left his familiar job and embraced a new opportunity that demanded not only learning new skills but also adjusting our family rhythms to accommodate his different schedule and responsibilities. It was a season filled with hope and promise but also uncertainty and transition.
Looking back, I can say all these things—the addition of a new baby, the toddler struggles, the career shift—were good and valuable in their own ways. Yet despite their goodness, there were many moments when life felt overwhelming. There were times when circumstances outside of our control seemed to pile up all at once, and I found myself wrestling with anxiety, exhaustion, and the weight of responsibility. It felt like I was holding together a thousand pieces at once, and sometimes I wasn’t sure how much longer I could keep going without breaking.
About halfway through this journey, I stumbled upon a passage that became a lifeline for me: Matthew 6:25-27. As I read and reread those verses, I began to see worry in a new light—not just as an unpleasant feeling to be endured, but as something deeply opposed to the gospel message. Worry, I realized, is not only harmful to our peace of mind but fundamentally anti-gospel. It betrays a lack of faith in God’s provision and care.
We Were Created to Depend on God
One of the hardest truths for humanity to grasp is that dependence on God is actually what we were created for. Dependence doesn’t come naturally to us. Our culture encourages independence, self-sufficiency, and control. We want to be the ones steering the ship, managing every detail, and making sure nothing catches us off guard.
But Jesus paints a different picture. He points to the birds of the air, who neither sow nor reap, yet are cared for by God. They don’t worry about their next meal or their shelter because they live fully within the system God designed for them. They are completely dependent on God’s provision, and in that dependence, they are free.
We, too, are designed to live in this way—not just occasionally calling on God when we need a rescue, but trusting Him fully with every breath, every moment, whether easy or hard. True dependence isn’t a fallback plan; it’s our intended way of life. It’s a daily posture of trust that runs deep, beyond surface prayers or quick fixes.
Worry is Self-dependence Rearing it’s Ugly Head
When worry begins to take root, it often signals that we have shifted our trust away from God and back onto ourselves. It’s a subtle but destructive form of self-dependence. Instead of running to God with my fears and uncertainties, we try to lean harder on our understanding and resources. We build safety nets, control mechanisms, and plans to insulate ourseleves from surprises or pain.
Sometimes I even try to justify my worry by calling it “concern” or “responsible planning,” dressing it up in more acceptable language. But deep down, worry is more than just a feeling of unease—it’s a sign that I’m trying to control outcomes that are not mine to control. It’s self-dependence, at its core, and it keeps me from experiencing the peace God wants to give.
Dependency Is a Daily Choice
Every day presents a choice: to depend on oneself or to surrender fears and hopes into God’s hands. Circumstances beyond human control might be viewed as problems or obstacles, but they also serve as opportunities for spiritual growth. These moments allow individuals to practice trust, open their hands, and receive God’s provision and peace.
Choosing trust over worry does not mean ignoring real concerns or pretending everything is perfect. It means holding those concerns with open hands, acknowledging human limitations, and resting in the assurance of God’s unfailing care. This daily decision strengthens faith and renews joy, even amid life’s challenges.
The grace of God is sufficient in every season. Dependence on Him is not a sign of weakness but an invitation to a life of peace and freedom. Embracing this truth allows families to face uncertain times with hope, knowing that God holds every moment and every future securely in His hands.