Why the Birds Don’t Worry
Every week I talk with pastors, ministry leaders, and all kinds of people trying to make their way through life. Most of them struggle with worry. They stress over their problems and strategize how to solve them. Or they busy themselves with many activities, rushing from thing to thing, trying to do more than they have time for. Or they fear disappointing people and walk on eggshells trying to avoid conflict.
They may go days without being still in God’s presence. I used to live that way too.
Be Still
If it’s hard for you to be still and to enter into soul rest then I urge you to find out why. What is causing you to be anxious? Why do you stay busy? What is all the noise and activity in your life helping you to avoid? Where is the love, joy, and peace that you long for? And that others need from you?
As a Christian psychologist I’ve spent decades learning about anxiety and treating it for people. Years ago I found freedom from my own anxiety-driven life. For myself and the people I’ve helped I’ve discovered that learning to be still and know the Lord (Psalm 46:10) is the most powerful antidote to anxiety.
Blaise Pascal, the great French mathematician, scientist, and Christian theologian of the 17th Century, poignantly described our problem with restless living three centuries ago: “All the unhappiness of people arises from one single fact, that they cannot stay quietly in their own room” (Pensées).
Lie down in Good Shepherd’s green pastures and you’ll find out why you worry… Whatever is troubling you will rise to the surface. This is your opportunity to pray about your emotional distress, physical restlessness, and wandering thoughts. With practice making the Lord your Shepherd, lying down in his green pastures, and going to his still waters then you can discover with David the wonderful truth: “He restores my soul” (Psalm 23:1-2).
Listen to the Birds
Apparently, even the birds know about our problem with worry! Have you heard about the conversation between the Robin and the Sparrow? Listen in and it just might change how you live your life – as it is has done for me…
“Said the Robin to the Sparrow:
‘I should really like to know
Why these anxious human beings
Rush about and worry so.’
Said the Sparrow to the Robin:
‘Friend, I think that it must be
That they have no Heavenly Father
Such as cares for you and me’”
(Elizabeth Cheney, Streams in the Desert, October 10).
Listening to Jesus
This bit of poetic rhyme reminds me of Jesus’ wonderful words: “Don’t worry. Look at the birds… Your Heavenly Father cares for them. Aren’t you much more valuable than them?” (Matthew 6:25-26, PAR).
Have you heard Jesus advice? Have you ever looked and listened to the birds with him? It can change your life!
Hardly a day goes by that I don’t notice the birds. They make me smile. They invite me to pause and breathe in God’s beauty. Their songs remind me that the angels that are all around me singing praise to the Lord and ministering God’s love and protection to us. The birds inspire me not to worry, but to listen to Jesus and to place myself in his kingdom of the heavens as I go about my day.
Try Listening to what the Birds are Singing
I love to follow Jesus into a quiet place to listen and to share my heart with him. I leave my worries with him and he gives me such peace. Sometimes as part of my time with my Lord we do some bird watching.
Right now, somewhere near you, birds are singing: “Be still and know that the Father cares for you.” Smile and sing along!
Additional Soul Transformation Resources
One day as I watched and listened to the birds above my head Jesus spoke to my heart in a special way. I invite you to smile and sing along: Don’t Worry – Listen to the Birds!
Learn more about Worry Free Living.
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William Gaultiere, Ph.D. & Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D. ~ http://www.soulshepherding.org
To help you not slip in your area of struggle pray Bill’s short meditation on Psalm 52: “Jesus, in Your Name I Hope.”
Learn from Bill how you can “Calm Your Anxious Mind.”
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William Gaultiere, Ph.D. is a Psychologist specializing in “Christian Soul Care” since 1986. Bill and his wife Kristi (a Marriage and Family Therapist) have a donor-supported ministry to pastors and leaders called Soul Shepherding. In counseling, spiritual mentoring, seminars, and retreats Bill and Kristi help people to connect deeply with Christ in ways that facilitate soul transformation. At Bill and Kristi’s webstie, SoulShepherding.org, you will find articles, prayers, and pictures to nourish your soul in God.
William Gaultiere, Ph.D. ~ Soul Shepherding, 4000 Barranca Pkwy, Suite 250, Irvine, CA 92604 ~ http://www.soulshepherding.org/ ~ 949.262.3699 ~ http://mailto:Bill@SoulShepherding.org