You Can’t Add an Hour… But You Can Yoke Up

Written By Katie Grove

“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?”
— Luke 12:25 (NIV)

I used to believe that worrying was productive.

If I could think through every possible outcome, replay conversations, plan the emergencies before they happened… maybe I could control the chaos.

But this week, my mother in law (who has been my rock finding my faith) reminded me of something Jesus said in Luke 12:

Worry doesn’t add anything.

The tree still fell on our van.
The battery still died.
Kids still got sick.
Bills were still delayed.
Family still acted the same.

None of my stress or fear would have changed any of it.

But something did change everything:

I remembered I wasn’t carrying it alone.

Right when the van died, Josh showed up.
AutoZone was in the same parking lot.
Help was kind.
The repair shop next door had time.
It all worked out.

And later, when a hard conversation started stirring up old emotions, I realized God had given me a graceful exit. What felt like inconvenience became protection.

Nothing got easier…

but the weight got lighter.

Because in the middle of it all, I paused and remembered:

Jesus is beside me.

Not ahead of me, expecting me to keep up.

Not behind me, watching and evaluating.

But yoked up—matching my steps, sharing the burden, walking with me.

Worry tries to control what only God can carry.

Jesus isn’t shaming us in Luke 12:25.
He’s inviting us:

“You were never meant to do this alone.”

When we yoke up with Him:

  • provision shows up

  • timing falls into place

  • our hearts stay steady

  • we begin to see the good we would have missed

Worry adds nothing.

But walking with Jesus adds peace.

When something stressful hits today, pause and pray:

“Jesus, I’m yoking up. Let’s do this together.”

Then look for one sign of:

  • provision

  • protection

  • help

  • kindness

  • peace

  • support

It’s there.

Let us pray: Jesus, thank You for walking beside me. Thank You that I don’t have to carry life alone. When worry rises up today, remind me to yoke up with You. Help me see Your provision, Your timing, and Your presence in every moment.
Amen.

Worry can’t add an hour to your life.
But yoking up can add peace to your day.

Katie Grove
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