“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Luke 12:7
Last week, I wrote about worry. It inspired me to sit with my boys and dig deep into what each of our worries were. We sat down around a jar and had slips of paper. We each wrote down worries as they came to mind and read them aloud before dropping them into the jar. We continued until we had each written quite a few and the writing slowed down. With each worry read, I began to realize a few things:
- Our worries were all different, yet the same.
- What seemed like a small worry to one of us added up to a big worry in another.
- Much of our worries stemmed around another family member who was feeling the same way we were but in reverse, cancelling out the worry!
As I realized a thought out worry over one seemed silly after hearing what another actually had on their mind, I began to realize that almost every worry was rooted in…..our worth.
Worth, “the value of something measured by its qualities or by the esteem in which it is held.1”
Each worry, concern, or fear that was written, if you dug into it, reflected a question of one’s own worth to the family as a whole, to another person, or as an individual being. Our worries about what the other thought or felt was almost irrelevant, we weren’t thinking about each other more than what each other thought about us related to particular circumstances. It was incredible! The very worry coming out of one’s mouth cancelled out the worry coming out of another’s mouth as they held the same worry proving both were false! None of the worries proved true and by laying them in the light, they lost their power. I did not allow a worry to go into the jar without reading it out loud as I feel it is important that we speak our truth and not hold that which holds us back and so that we could support one another.
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
Healing lies right at our finger tips if we just are brave enough to speak what we worry about. Many times that worry or fear is an illusion holding us captive and sharing our truth is like a key that unlocks the door and sets us free. The other powerful thing that happens is that the ones around us can better understand the burden we have been carrying and as we allow God to see us better in our truth, we allow others to see us better in our truth, enabling more love to come in.
But God…
He didn’t stop giving us wisdom after our “worry jar” experience. He took us to the next level and we could lovingly hear Him remind us of this:
“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Luke 12:7
It was such a gentle, loving reminder, that our worth exceeds any worry we have here on earth. That he knows the very number of hairs on our head! That he deems us even more worthy than the lovely sparrows we spy out of our window.
“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.’” Jeremiah 29:11
He reminded us He has big plans for us, exciting plans, which should fill us with hope!
He also reminded us of His Greatest Commandment:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Mark 12:30
When doing this, He can show us our worth daily so that we can fulfill his second commandment:
“Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these” Mark 12:31
If we are caught up in worry, we aren’t spending enough time with the Lord, showing Him a love with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. If we aren’t spending enough time with God, we begin to doubt our worth as the messages of the world and others fill us instead. If we are doubting our worth, we likely aren’t loving others well because we aren’t even valuing ourselves. If we aren’t loving others well, we are likely causing hurts or allowing hurts to linger…
So, remember today, you were made “in the image of God” (Genesis 1:27). You were “knit together in your mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13), and He knows the” number of hairs on your head” (Luke 12:7).
You matter. You were worth creating. You have breath in your lungs and a beating heart because God has a hope and a future planned for you!
With love, Julie
P.S. Today’s image is of a mirror. It is a reminder to find a mirror in your home, and dwell there for a moment. Take a look at your eyes, your smile, and your hair. Remember, God knows the number of hairs He placed on your head (even if some of them are gone now :)). Watch your chest rise and fall as you breathe. Place your hand on your heart and feel it beat. Remember, He has a future planned for you and you are worth loving.
Father, Today I Surrender:
My Worth
Show me the next step I should take.