We’ve had our days of scurrying after the troubles that ignite fear, anxiety, or depression. Today God reminds us to seek first his kingdom and his righteousness. Not because the other things aren’t important, but because he wants us to know the peace that comes when we have confidence that he’s got our “all these things” covered. What ever they may be.

It’s early in the morning, the quiet hours before the hustle of the day begins. Already my mind scatters in ten directions: errands to run, deadlines to meet, and problems to solve.

Taking a deep breath–the kind that reminds my shoulders to relax–I force myself to focus on the words that swim on the page of my open Bible. I remember the many times I’ve brought my heavy-laden heart and over-busy schedule to God in this holy space before the day starts to spin.

One simple way to settle your soul.

Setting aside my concerns, I ask God to strengthen me with his words.

“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life. . . ” Matthew 6:25a

Do not be worried about your life. I fill in the details with the cares that press hard on my sense of wellbeing.

“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we ____?’ or ‘What will we _____?’ (Matthew 6: 31, blanks added)

• My daughter needs to get her feet underneath her in a new season of life.
• New challenges bombard my husband at work.
• Writing and ministry deadlines outnumber my resources.

Seek first.

And then comes the verse I’ve read hundreds of times, the one that stops my worries in their tracks:

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:31-33

Seek God first–this is one simple way to settle your soul. This is both an action and orientation of the heart that carries the promise of God. Seeking God first covers both time and priority.

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