Many people experience anxiety for a variety of reasons. However, Jesus instructs us in Matthew 6:25 to “not be anxious about your life.” He provides us with multiple solid excuses not to worry.
1. If you are anxious, your priorities need adjusting
According to Jesus, one cannot serve God and money or material belongings simultaneously (Matthew 6:24). Worrying about various earthly matters indicates that our affections are directed more toward those things than toward God. That is a really serious claim. According to what Jesus said, worrying too much about “treasures on earth” rather than “treasures in heaven” is a sign that our priorities are out of balance and that being concerned is not only unhealthy for us personally. When viewed in this context, anxiety is not just immoral but also wicked! Have you ever thought of anxiety like this?
2. Life is more important than food
Among our essential needs are clothing and food, which can occupy a significant amount of our time, resources, and attention. They might easily become a source of worry. However, as Jesus notes in Matthew 6:25, “life is more than food and the body is more than clothing,” it is actually nonsensical to be concerned about clothing and food. Given that He is the fountainhead of life, why wouldn’t the Lord God be concerned about providing food for the life He created? Wouldn’t He care about clothing since He created our bodies “fearfully and wonderfully” (Psalm 139:13–14)? When we’re nervous, we usually concentrate on our problems. Jesus exhorts us to view the world from a heavenly standpoint.
3. You are of more value than the birds
Jesus instructs us to look around us in addition to applying reason to the ideas that life is more vital than food and the body is more important than clothes. The benevolence and fidelity of God are abundantly demonstrated by nature. “Observe the birds of the air: your heavenly Father provides for them even though they do not sow, reap, or collect into barns. Do you not have greater value than they do? Matthew 6:26. The book of Job contains a similar idea: “Ask the creatures, and they will instruct you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you. Every living thing’s life and everyone’s breath are in [God’s] hands (Job 12:7–10).
Jesus responds, “Well, would God not care for you if He cared for the birds?” As Luke 12:7 states, “you are of more value than many sparrows.”
4. Anxiousness doesn’t help you
Many aspire to have long lives. While some people go to considerable measures to lead healthy lives, scientists are working to find ways to extend human lifespans and stop the aging process. However, worrying about your life won’t make it any longer. “And which one of you, through worry, can lengthen his life by even one hour?” Matthew 6:27. Stated differently, worrying makes no sense. It is useless.
5. You are of more value than a flower of the field
Once more, Jesus turns our attention to nature: “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow… Not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.” (Matthew 26:28-29). Clearly, these plants have not made an effort to look good. Moreover, grasses are not particularly valuable. They are cut down to serve as fuel, or they are easily smashed by a storm. It is not worth paying much attention to such field flowers, we would think. And yet they look beautiful! More beautiful than the richest king in Israel’s history, King Solomon. God Himself “clothes them.” He gives them their beauty, even if they only bloom for one day. From this example, Jesus asks the question, “Will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” (Matthew 6:30).
6. Believers have a loving Father in heaven
Jesus adds another reason to not worry in Matthew 6:31–32. You are similar to someone who does not know God if you are continuously concerned about finding food or clothes. You behave as though you have no a Father in heaven who has vowed to provide for you! That really is a serious affront to Him. Either deliberately or unconsciously, you disbelieve in His omnipotence and goodness. However, because He is concerned for us, we are constantly urged to give Him all of our worries (1 Peter 5:7). Furthermore, in Matthew 6:9–11, Jesus Himself tells us how to pray, saying, “Our Father in heaven… Give us this day our daily bread.”
Jesus makes one more pledge. God will provide for us if we put our attention on His righteousness and His Kingdom (Matthew 6:33). Our heavenly Father is the one who knows exactly what that is! Do you think that God is a loving Father to you?
7. Each day has enough trouble of its own
This archaic poem was most likely penned in the eighteenth century by Thomas Chatterton.
All too frequently, the dreaded aches and pains cause us to suffer the most and feel the worst.
This poem may well be inspired by Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:34: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
We have a lot to deal with sometimes. It is foolish to add worries for the future to our daily burden. This is simply too much and prevents us from enjoying the good we receive from God’s hand today. We would collapse under the burden if we would take on the cares for an entire week, month or year in one single day. Not only is it impossible to bear the burdens of the future today, it is also unnecessary. For God is in control of the future — just as much as the present. We can entrust our future to His care.
8. Anxiousness can distract us from the most important thing
When Jesus was traveling through Israel, a woman named Martha welcomed Him and His disciples into her house. This was a good thing to do. Hospitality in general is praised in the Bible, and opening your home to Jesus Christ is a very special opportunity to serve Him! Martha took this very seriously. She was busy with all the preparations that had to be made for such a large group of guests. In fact, she was so “anxious and troubled about many things” that she forgot to listen to Jesus’ words. She did not have enough time and peace of mind to sit down and take some “quiet time”. Jesus gently rebuked her for this: “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.” (Luke 10:41-42)
Martha’s worries diverted her attention from the most crucial issue. She neglected to truly listen to the Lord when she was serving Him. We should also heed the warning in her story. If you truly love Jesus and prioritize serving Him in all that you do, take note that serving Him should not cause you to feel “anxious and troubled.” Don’t let “many things” keep you from spending time in the Lord’s presence and hearing what He has to say!
Practical advice: battling anxiety by prayer
Important tips for overcoming anxiety were provided by the apostle Paul in his epistle to the Philippians. Since he was being held for his beliefs and was awaiting trial, he was most likely speaking from personal experience! Paul states that we can tell God about everything and put all of our concerns and requests in His hands, regardless of what happens (Philippians 4:6). By doing this, according to Philippians 4:7, “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
When we are joined with Christ Jesus, we can experience this peace of God, which is a powerful defense against anxiety. “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace,” Jesus informed His disciples. In this life, hardships will arise. However, be encouraged; I have triumphed over the world (John 16:33).
After you have given your worries to God, do you feel at peace?
