“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? 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? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”– Matthew 6:25-27
Everyday, anxiety and stress try to demand control of our minds. Sometimes, even getting out of bed is a chore because depression and worry is at the forefront. If you are struggling with worry, know this: The God of the universe, is telling you “Do not be anxious, because I will provide your needs.”
God cares for you more than you can ever imagine, and if he takes care of the birds, he will take care of you. No situation that you are anxious about is greater than God’s caring hand over your life. What is Jesus saying in this section on anxiety? Let’s take a look:
“Do not be Anxious”
This seems like a very tall order, and if it was coming from anyone else, it would hold no weight. However, when Jesus is telling us not to be anxious, it’s for a reason: He knows the outcome. Tell God about your situation, because his peace is promised to you.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7
“The Futility of Worry”
Jesus tells us that worry does not add a single hour to our lives. It is completely futile- meaning that the worries of the world get nothing done. We can go to bed worried, but when we wake up, nothing will have changed. The good news is, God’s peace completely changes us from the inside out. It surpasses understanding and it’s available to us.
“We Are Still Growing”
Jesus continues by drawing a comparison to Solomon and the lilies of the field. Even Solomon, the richest man of all time, paled in comparison to these growing flowers. And we are still growing, too! If you are not yet where you want to be, don’t worry! Be encouraged: You are doing better than you think you are! Life is a process, and you are growing day by day.
Remember, there may be chaos around you right now, but Jesus is within you. His peace that surpasses understanding is your portion today!