Have you ever laid awake at night, staring at the ceiling, with your mind racing through endless possibilities? What if the job doesn’t come through? What if the bills stack too high? What if tomorrow looks worse than today?

The “what ifs” seem to grow louder in the quiet hours. They creep into your thoughts when the house is still, feeding fear and painting worst-case scenarios. They weigh heavily on your heart, stealing rest and peace.

But here’s the good news: Jesus knew you would face moments like this. That’s why He spoke directly to worry in Matthew 6. He said, “Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on… Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:25–26).

The “what ifs” try to convince you that you are on your own, that your future depends solely on your plans, your control, your effort. But God gently reminds you of something deeper: your life is not sustained by your plans but by His promises.

Think about the difference.

• The “what ifs” focus on fears about what might happen.
• The “what is” focuses on the truth of who God is and how He cares for you.

And what is true?

• God clothes the lilies in beauty beyond Solomon’s robes.
• God feeds the sparrows each day, without fail.
• God knows your needs before you ask and is faithful to provide.

When you shift from “what if” to “what is,” the storm in your mind begins to settle. The fears may still whisper, but faith starts to speak louder.

Jesus doesn’t just tell you not to worry—He gives you something better to pursue. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). When you seek Him first, worry no longer controls you. You discover peace that comes from knowing your Father is already at work in your tomorrow.

So the next time anxiety rises and “what ifs” flood your thoughts, pause and ask a different question: “What is true about God right now?”

The answer never changes: He is faithful. He is present. He is able.

And that truth is stronger than every “what if” you face.

Labor Day tends to sneak up on us. One moment we’re soaking in the long days of summer, and the next thing we know, the calendar has flipped to September, and here comes the first Monday of the month. For many, it’s a holiday that means cookouts, family gatherings, and maybe squeezing in one last trip to the lake. It also often marks the “unofficial end of summer.” Pools close, kids are back in school, and the pace of life shifts into fall mode.

But Labor Day is more than just a long weekend. It’s a day set aside to honor the value of work. And when we look at Scripture, we find that work is part of God’s design for us. In Genesis, Adam was placed in the garden to work it and take care of it. Work is not a punishment—it’s a calling. Through our labor, whether in an office, a classroom, a kitchen, a field, or even in the unseen tasks of caregiving, God allows us to serve others and reflect His character.

Yet, Labor Day also reminds us of something we often forget: the gift of rest. God worked six days in creation and then rested on the seventh—not because He was tired, but because He knew we would need the example. Rest isn’t wasted time. Rest is holy. It’s God’s way of reminding us that our worth doesn’t come from how much we produce or accomplish. It comes from Him.

Maybe today you feel the weight of your work. You’ve been carrying heavy responsibilities, and you’re tired. If that’s you, hear this truth: God delights in your faithfulness, but He also invites you to pause. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) Labor Day gives us a chance to accept that invitation, if even just for a moment.

So, while you enjoy this holiday, take time to reflect. Thank God for the work He has entrusted to you. Celebrate the ways your labor, both seen and unseen, makes a difference in the lives of others. And don’t be afraid to rest. Step outside, breathe deeply, and remember you are loved—not because of what you’ve done, but because of who you are in Christ.

Today is about labor, but it’s also about balance. Work with all your heart, as if working for the Lord, and rest with the same confidence, knowing that God is in control.

Happy Labor Day. May your day be filled with gratitude, peace, and the joy of knowing your work matters and your rest is blessed.