My Answer

on Oct 13, 2026

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: Birdwatching is made fun of these days, but I’ve always loved birds and am fascinated by the references to birds in the Bible. I think of the dove that Noah released from the ark, the raven that fed Elijah, and the eagle that soars with strength and might. But in my effort to overcome my fixation on worrying about everything, I find little comfort in the story about the sparrows. What am I missing? – B.W.

A: Most of our worries either concern things that will never happen or else things we cannot change. Jesus said, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? (Luke 12:25, NIV).

Someone has said, “Worry is the interest paid on trouble before it comes due.” Let’s cast our care on Him, remembering that He is our salvation also in the time of trouble.

Trust is one answer to anxiety. We find in the first place that we are to cast our care upon the Lord, and this is to be a continuing process. We aren’t only to take our burdens to the Lord; we are to leave them there. Needless worry is contrary to the lessons of nature.

Jesus used the carefree attitude of the birds to underscore the fact that worrying is unnatural. “Look at the birds of the air, for they [do not sow] … yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:26, NKJV).

Life today taxes the faith of the greatest Christians, but none of us should doubt the ability of God to give us grace sufficient for our trials even amid the stresses of everyday life. The Christian must not go about wringing the hands, having more nervous tension and worry than anyone else. We are to trust quietly and constantly in the fact that Jesus cares for His own, and He will grow our faith if we ask Him to help us in our weakness.

(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)