The Cure For Anxiety

Last week I woke up early before the sun was rising. As I sat in silence looking out the window, the sky started to transform from dark to light. In the silence of the dawn, I soon heard the birds calling out as the sun began to rise. As the sun shone more light through the trees, I saw the birds coming out for their morning breakfast. One was eating seed from our bird feeder. I noticed two others flying around together and landing in the yard to eat an insect or a worm the Lord had provided for them that morning. As I observed the birds collect what God had provided for them for the day, my mind went straight to Matthew 6 and Luke 12.

In these two passages, Jesus teaches against worry, anxiety, and fear and what a disciple of Jesus should do to combat those emotional responses. Interestingly, Jesus points his listeners to birds and their carefree reliance upon God. In Matthew 6:26 Jesus says, “Consider the birds of the sky: they don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them.” And then Jesus, who was masterful at asking questions said, “Aren’t you worth more than they?”

Jesus understood what the people of his time were going through. Jesus also knew that  the birds were not made in the image of God, yet he provides for them. He wanted his listeners to hear and know that God cares much more about His image bearers and will provide for them. Some worried about where their next meal would come from and if they would have enough clothes to keep them warm. Jesus gave three commands in Luke 12: “don’t worry about your life”, “don’t be anxious”, and “don’t be afraid.” Instead, he told them, “But seek his kingdom, and these things will be provided for you” (Luke 12:31).

I know that many of us struggle on a regular basis with worry, anxiety, and fear. For many it dominates your thoughts and actions. It is a real thing and Jesus understands that. He also understands that we must seek after the kingdom and in doing so we are seeking after our Father’s guidance and provision. It should bring us so much peace to know that we have a Father who knows what we need and will provide us with those needs daily. 1 Peter 5:6-7 says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God…casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

I want to encourage you to thank God for the blessings you have today, instead of worrying about tomorrow. Make a list of those blessings and thank God for them. Know that Jesus’ remedy for anxiety is to make the kingdom of God and his righteousness the center of our priorities. I also want to remind you that the “Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:5-7).

GRACE AND PEACE