Are You Providing For Your Family?

1 Timothy 6:17- Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

In my years serving as a counselor, I have seen many people suffering from anxiety.  Quite often, their worry is related to fears about their future needs being met.  They are used to relying on an obvious path to get what they need, but life has changed in some way and that path is no longer as clear.  They feel overwhelmed and afraid.

Even without ever having met you, I know you can relate to this.  How do I know?  Because we all tend to experience fear whenever we feel out of control and see no easy way to regain that control.  This is especially true when it comes to meeting the needs of our family.  

1 Timothy 6:17 reminds us that God "provides us with everything."  Sometimes we will experience His provision in abundance while others times it feels more limited.  But in all times, it will be enough to meet our needs.

Understanding the source of your own provision can give you a real sense of peace.  How freeing it is that God, who loves you more than you can comprehend, knows what you need and provides it accordingly?  Sometimes that provision comes in expected ways and other times it comes in ways you could never predict.  Even more freeing is the realization that God's provision is not based upon merit, but on His own unending love.  In other words, you don't have anything because you deserve it, but because He loves you.

Cast aside your fears about the future.  God's got you!

Questions:

1.  Think about a time when you were worried about your family not having what they needed.  What was that pressure like?  How did you respond to that pressure?

2.  Have your family's needs ever been met in an unexpected way?  To what do you attribute this?  What was your role in getting that need met?      

3.  How can relying on God to meet your needs impact the pressure you feel as a provider?