In a recent sermon, our pastor challenged us to consider what faithfulness looks like, and not surprisingly, it included evaluating what we think we “need.” He shared several things essential for us to live a faithful life that points to Jesus. But there was one in particular that stood out to me (rather, seemed to shout directly at me!).

For context, we were visiting the Old Testament. After a month+ of the Israelites’ exodus out of Egypt, they found themselves hungry and in need of food. The Lord heard their call and answered their need: “Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days” (Exodus 16:4-5). God gave them exactly what they needed, when they needed it.

My pastor pointed out that the manna provided by the Lord each day was training to be faithful. I was challenged by this. Would I be able to trust the Lord to meet my needs like that each day? You might think that would be an easy yes, especially given the miracles the wandering Israelites had already witnessed. But it was not enough. And the rest of Exodus features circumstance after circumstance illustrating their lack of trust and faith that God would take care of them. And now, here, with a roof over my head and food on the table, am I trusting that He will give me what I need each day? That He will be enough? Life today may look very different than it did for the Israelites in the wilderness, but the need is the same: to depend on God’s provision each day and trust Him to sustain us in our own conditions. Perhaps part of our struggle is that we are always longing for ‘more.’ That longing itself is not accidental—we were created for Eden, for perfect fellowship with God. On this side of Heaven, that desire is often misplaced, driving us to focus on what we think we need rather than on what we already have.

When Jesus taught us to pray and specifically ask God to give us our daily bread (Matthew 6:9-13), I believe He was not only asking us to pray for physical provision, but also to give us just enough to enable us to trust that God will provide. Because if we had every single one of our needs met each day, what would we need God for? When God provided manna in the wilderness, He provided just enough for their needs. So, in this context, Jesus is instructing us to pray for just enough for the day.

But are we content with just enough? Do we trust that our needs will be met with just enough? Do we truly trust God with just today?

In this season, I am particularly challenged by these questions. Too often, my mind is filled with worries and “what if” scenarios. When those aren’t swirling, I’m making lists of the things I think I need—things to do, buy, or secure. I’m seeing how my trust is rather low, and as a result, my faith feels weak. Instead of resting in the day and leaning into gratitude for what I have, I catch myself striving for what I think I lack.

Yet Jesus reminds me that all I need is faith the size of a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20, Luke 17:6). That small, simple faith is enough to move mountains, uproot trees, and shift the landscape of my heart. I don’t have to muster up a grand display of trust; I just have to offer God the little I have, and He will grow it.

Here’s how I will challenge myself to practice mustard-seed faith in this season:

Physical Provision:

Do I trust God to meet today’s physical needs—enough to resist hoarding for tomorrow’s security?
Mustard-seed faith means believing that today’s work, home, food, and health are enough, and that tomorrow is already in God’s hands. I will choose gratitude not only for the tangible provisions—a roof over my head, a meal on the table—but also for the gift of a healthy body that allows me to live, move, and contribute. These are not small things but daily miracles that sustain me. Gratitude is how I water that seed, letting contentment grow in place of worry. God has given me abundance in this space. Nothing I have done has earned me these things.

Spiritual Provision:

Jesus called Himself the “bread of life” (John 6:35). Do I seek Jesus as my daily bread and feed on His presence and truth?
Mustard-seed faith means trusting that today’s encounter with His Word and Spirit is sufficient. Like manna in the wilderness, yesterday’s bread won’t carry me through today’s walk. Each day, I need a fresh encounter with His truth and presence. And He is always available to offer it to me.

Mental Provision:

Am I willing to let God renew my mind when it drifts toward anxiety or scarcity?
Mustard-seed faith means choosing to take anxious thoughts captive and exchange them with God’s truth (2 Corinthians 10:5).  Instead of rehearsing “what ifs,” I will anchor in “what is”: God is faithful, God is near, God provides. I will slow down to notice moments of peace and beauty and let them remind me that my mind, too, is sustained by His provision.

Faith of a mustard seed is not about the size of my belief but the greatness of my God. My little faith, placed in His hands, is enough for today’s physical, spiritual, and mental provision.

Please pray with me.
God, thank You for the reminder that You are the Great Provider, and that the smallest amount of faith in You can sustain me for all my days here on earth. Please steer my heart each day towards gratitude and help me to remember and trust in Your Word. Thank You for Your endless grace, patience, and provision. I did nothing to earn these things, and I thank You for loving me. In Jesus’ name I give this thanks and praise, Amen.