There are times in my life when I am anxious about the things that are beyond my control – when it happens in a way that I do not expect it to happen. God fully knows that we are people who are prone to be anxious that’s why Jesus talked and addressed anxiety in Matthew 6:25-34.
Jesus offered reasons why we should not be anxious. As we meditate on these reasons, may we worry less and trust God more.
The first reason is that our heavenly Father provides for us. Jesus said that we should not worry about our lives – what to eat, what to drink, and what to put on because our heavenly Father fully knows that we need these things. He further compared us with the birds which he feeds even when the birds do not make any effort to provide for themselves . He compared us to birds and asked, “Are you not more valuable than they?” Jesus wanted to point out that God provides even for the least of His creatures, how much more people whom His Son has died for at the cross? Our souls are more precious than the birds because Jesus died for us. If God could provide for soulless creatures whom He did not die for then He will surely provide for His people whose souls are immeasurable valuable because the blood of Christ has been shed for them.
The second reason that Jesus provided is that by being anxious over things, we can never add a single hour to our span of life. (Matt. 6:27) Jesus appealed to the sovereignty of God over our lives which could not be stopped even when we worry too much. What’s bound to happen will inevitably happen according to the plan of God. Us being anxious over things won’t change anything to the secret plan of God. It won’t change the time of our death or even add hours to our lives. Everything even the our lives are already predetermined, fixed and appointed by God. Worrying about these things is like putting ourselves in the position of God who alone could plan and bring about the events that are happening.
The third reason that Jesus mentioned to address anxiety is to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matt. 6:33) We are anxious because instead of seeking the kingdom of God, we seek the kingdom of self. We are anxious of how our bosses would rate us in our work performance because we want to make a name for ourselves and earn big for ourselves. We are anxious of what people think because we want our name to be honored. Due to sin, we are naturally self-seeking and self-centered people. In light of that, we worry because we have a name to protect, a self-centered kingdom to build, and self-exalting agenda to pursue. But, when we shift our focus from seeking a kingdom for ourselves to seeking the kingdom of God. We don’t worry over things because it’s not about us anymore but it’s now all about God. And, since it’s about the kingdom of God, He will do whatever it takes to advance His kingdom and His name. He will give us all the necessary things to advance His kingdom. We need not worry because He will provide for us because it’s for the work of His kingdom.
Whenever anxiety creeps in, may we remind ourselves that we have an all-knowing heavenly Father who will provide our needs at the time when we need it. May we be reminded that our God is in control of every details of our lives. He has planned everything. When bad things happen, we know that we can trust His heart behind the plan because He is committed to bring about what is good for us. And, may we, by His grace, continually seek His kingdom and forget ourselves in the process. As we seek Him above all, He gives everything that is necessary for the advancement of His kingdom.
As we trust in Him as our all-knowing providing and loving sovereign Father and as we seek His kingdom and His righteousness, we can never do this apart from total dependence in Him. And, this dependence is manifested in prayer. That’s why the Apostle Paul wrote, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7)
May these reasons be an antidote for our anxiety because the One who provided the reasons is the One who created us and upholds us with the power of His word. He is the One who truly and fully knows how to address our anxiety because He is our Maker. May we trust in Him all the more and surrender everything at His feet through prayer.
By grace alone 