During this time of year, I find myself traveling back to my hometown more than I typically do during the year. When I travel back home, I bring my dogs with me. At times, traveling with my dogs can be challenging. When they see me interacting with luggage, they know something is up. When they see me take the bags to my car, they begin to show their emotions. The emotions shown by both of them range from excitement to stress. No matter how often I travel with my dogs, they get worked up for the trip. Considering both dogs weigh approximately 120 lbs. combined, managing this can be arduous. However, when we reach our final destination, my dogs get worked up over nothing.

While the above story could be considered irrational behavior by pets, do we ever do the same? Do we ever manufacture stress upon ourselves? It can be easy to look at certain situations and naturally become stressed. The reaction is not the issue; it is a symptom. It is a potential sign of a deeper problem within ourselves. It could be a lack of certainty of the unknown. Do we ever forget that God is in control through our actions? By this, do our actions reflect us knowing that God is in control of our lives? Different scriptures discuss how God is in control, but I would like to focus on Matthew 6:27-32. Here, Jesus says, “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Do not be anxious because there is nothing to gain from it. Instead, we can reduce the stress in our lives by remembering God is in control.