Delta Streets just finished up basketball in February, and while playing in the state tournament, I had the opportunity to talk to a particular family involved with Mt. Salus Christian Academy in Clinton, MS. As we talked, the father began to tell me about how being a part of the school as a board member has pushed his faith like never before. He has eight children, and he says he didn’t really know what faith was until helping operate and oversee a small private school. From that comment, this man must have deep, deep faith because Meagan, my wife, and I have three boys and I wanted to throw up when he said they had eight! How do you feed eight people every day? They do Dinners for Eight Plus Two every night!

I know exactly what the father was saying about overseeing a small Christian academy, and unfortunately, I let my fears get the best of me which in turn causes unwanted stress! I know the answer to the stress or fear problem: TRUST IN GOD. Easier said than done! Pastor Owens just went through this topic in late January while going through the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:25-34).

Typically, I would say I am not a worrier, but my body tells me differently. At the ripe old age of 31, I have a severe gout problem, and it is not just in my big toe. It flares up almost immediately after I begin to stress about the financial situation of our school, Delta Streets Academy. And it flares up way more often than it should. See, we operate mainly off of the generosity of Christians all across the nation. Now here is the kicker, this is our 6th year of operation, and there has never been a month where we were not able to pay our staff, the utility bill, or other expenses. God has been so FAITHFUL to our organization even when we (really I) haven’t done our part.

Like Peter did in his second letter, I need to constantly be “growing in my knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.” When I remind myself of all the times God has been faithful to his children, it makes DSA’s financial situation look laughable. I can list story after story from Old Testament to New Testament that reveals God’s power and faithfulness. And realistically, the only true worry I should have was taken care of 2,000 years ago. Jesus paid the penalty so I wouldn’t have to. Jesus paid it all! I don’t, but I should daily remind myself of that truth and that “God has got this!’

So I know that your worries and stress don’t have anything to do with operating a school, but whatever it is that you are worried about, it is obviously important to you, important enough to worry about! But do know, God loves you. He really does…and He wants you to ask Him to meet your needs. Just like my father will do anything to help meet my family’s needs, our Heavenly Father is even more excited to take care of His children, all of His children. And I thought eight kids was a lot!