The Cure for Anxiety

This guy's not worried, so why are you?

I’m always amazed by the way God cares for us, in ways great and small. Right now, the future to us seems uncertain at best, but rather than making us feel deprived by this trial, God’s incredible grace makes us feel more blessed every day. Our life is rich (“without any money“).

I’m touched tonight by Matthew 6, mainly verse 34 which says, “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

If you follow the church calendar, you know that this is the season of Lent. You may also know that Lent is a time of fasting, and quite naturally verses 16-18 are quite commonly referred to as we enter this season.  That’s the part that says, “Whenever you fast…” (read passage). I’m sure you remember it, but go ahead and read it. This is the part that got me thinking about this chapter.

I tricked you with the link! I added the rest of the chapter. I did it because I read those chapters on paper, and I found I couldn’t just stop there. Jesus is in the middle of The Sermon on the Mount here, and it’s good stuff.  Turns out I needed those words. And if you find yourself doing what I did this evening, trying to backseat drive your life, just stop, and at least re-read verses 25-34. The NASB I’m reading has as a header here: “The Cure for Anxiety.”  I found out tonight just how much that title suits it.

I know, I’ve already posted this before. But I find I need this passage again and again.

 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; foryour heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

    “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”