(Matthew 6:25-33 ESV) 25 “Therefore I tell you, 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. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 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? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Anxiety is one of the most difficult things to overcome in life. Scripture addresses this issue many different times, and from many different angles. Each time, the writers encourage us to refuse to give worry a place in our lives. While it is human nature to worry about things, Jesus taught that it is possible to choose to live without anxiety.
Let me pause briefly to acknowledge the presence of anxiety disorders. They do exist. I’ve had to overcome them myself. With God’s help, I have been able to overcome anxiety through prayer and meditation. Others require help from professionals who are able to prescribe medication and helpful counseling. Let me share a word of wisdom–it is imperative for Christians to use great caution when submitting to counsel from non-Christian counselors. (Psalm 1:1-2 ESV) 1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. There are good, godly counselors who can provide quality, holistic counsel that promotes emotional healing.
With that said, this passage in Matthew reassures us of three realities…
- Anxiety (worry) has no power to change the outcome of life. Notice verse 27, “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? It is possible to be free of anxiety when we realize that God is involved in every minute detail of life.
- Anxiety can be overcome when we acknowledge God’s omniscience. Concerning our daily needs, verse 32 says, “your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.” Did you catch that? He knows!
- God will take care of you! “If God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?”
Verse 33 beautifully summarizes this topic, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Simply stated– when the things of the kingdom are put first, everything else falls into place!
PRAYER: Father, my mind knows that you have NOT given me a spirit of fear. Instead, I possess power, love, and a sound mind. Teach me how to trust you in every area of my life, so that anxiety is overcome, and faith is released! Amen.
Thinking Out Loud 