You pull into the driveway, turn off the engine, and rest your head on the steering wheel. A part of you feels unable to gather the energy to open the car door, but after a few moments, you do.

You gather your bags and will yourself to lumber toward the mailbox.

Once inside, you toss the mailbox’s contents onto the dining room table. You don’t want to look at what’s there, because you know that among the credit card offers and magazines, there’s something you just can’t look at right now: those dreaded bills.

How is it that the largest bills always seem to come when the bank account is lowest? How is it that, despite the spreadsheets and tight budgeting, there’s still not enough money to pay the bills on time? The stress of mounting bills is difficult to handle. It’s the kind of stress that lingers in the back of your mind and sticks with you throughout the day. 

It isn’t easy to trust God when the bills pile up. But even when we find it hard to trust God, the Bible tells us that God is with us and he is in control. If you’re feeling anxious about money today, you can turn to God’s Word for peace and assurance that God will be with you. I invite you to read and pray through these words that Jesus spoke in the book of Luke:

Luke 12:22-24, 27-28 (GNTD)

Then Jesus said to the disciples, “And so I tell you not to worry about the food you need to stay alive or about the clothes you need for your body. Life is much more important than food, and the body much more important than clothes.

God, it’s so easy to be consumed with worry when I think about getting enough money to get by. Help me to put my worries into perspective.

Look at the crows: they don't plant seeds or gather a harvest; they don't have storage rooms or barns; God feeds them! You are worth so much more than birds! 

Lord, show me what I’m worth. Remind me that I am precious to you and that you love me. I don’t feel protected or secure right now, but I trust that you will protect me.

Look how the wild flowers grow: they don't work or make clothes for themselves. But I tell you that not even King Solomon with all his wealth had clothes as beautiful as one of these flowers. It is God who clothes the wild grass—grass that is here today and gone tomorrow, burned up in the oven. Won't he be all the more sure to clothe you?”

God, I’m putting all my hope in you because I know you care about me. You’ve taken care of me this far, and I know that you will take care of me in the future. When I worry and the bills overwhelm me, show me that you are in control. Thank you for loving me and listening to my worries. Amen.