Be Anxious for Nothing

When we look at Scripture, we see some very clear statements on how we are to live our lives and how we are to handle things that come our way. Many say that the Bible isn't very clear on some things, like anxiety and while that may seem true, we must use Scripture to truly understand what Scripture says. If you see a subject about which you think the Bible isn't clear, keep searching. You must seek the entire council of God and His word before you can make such a statement. People who make statements such as that haven't spent the time to search out the will of God in His Word. It's the lazy way out. 

This subject, however, is very clearly attended to by Jesus Himself. It just takes a cursory search to see what God says about anxiety. It's something with which some of us, if not all, deal. Just with this following verse you can see the direction on how to deal with anxiety. I think it's the application that most people aren't getting nowadays.

“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? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”  Matthew 6:25-34

​If you read what Jesus is saying here, we see He says not to be anxious three times. He also gives examples as to why someone might be anxious and some good reasons not to be anxious. God is in control and is sovereign. It sure is easy to tell someone who is going through tough times, "Just remember that God is sovereign." Really what we should be doing is reminding them to seek after the kingdom of God and His righteousness first. 

What are we seeking after in our times of need or stress? What are we thinking about? Is it, how can I control my surroundings? How can I pay this bill? How can I get my kids to listen to me more? Is it something with a relationship? God truly is sovereign. We can't add a day to our life, we can't add a hair to our head. Often, we have this false sense of power and control when we focus on ourselves. I, however, believe, such as scripture and Jesus states here, that when we focus on God and His kingdom and His righteousness, we won't be so self-focused on our problems. This peace that God offers us will become real. 

When we focus on Him, when we trust in and on Him, we truly will have peace. That's the real application. Be eternally focused and not so much on what is happening right now. No matter what happens, if you are saved, you have that assurance that God will provide for you. As I have said before, it may not be your wants, but He will provide for your needs. I have often found myself focusing on myself and my worries and had to remind  myself that I'm not applying God's direction for me in my own life. Why? Well, my flesh and the world and its troubles take over. It's a fight to stay eternally minded and to remember this simple fact: God is in control; not me and not you. Do we make plans? Yes. Do we plan for the future? Absolutely. But we do so with God and His kingdom in mind. 

Let's spur each other on as we deal with the troubles of the world. Pray with one another, rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep and always remember that God has everything under control and we don't need to fret. Our eternity and lives are in the hands of the One Who made it all. Let that comfort you in your times of need and strife. The God of peace can and will comfort you. The Holy Spirit, the One Who is in you, will bring that peace.

Jonathan Eckel