Anxiety, worry and tension are some of the most destructive forces we can face today. They steal our strength and slowly undermine our faith, keeping us from maturing in the Lord. If we are to grow in our relationship with Jesus, we must discover God’s plan for freedom from the crippling cycle of anxiety. Philippians 4:6 says: “Do not worry about anything,” writes Paul, “but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God.” The underlying message here is very clear: Pray more. Give thanks more. And don’t focus on your anxiety.
God wants us to be free from worry. Jesus said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). But to enter that rest we have to cut off stress’ source of power: our unbelief (Heb. 3:19).
Jesus has confronted our futile anxiety. He tells us to look at how God feeds the birds of the air and arrays the lilies of the field. How much more will He care for his children?
Anxiety affects how we feel and behave, and it can manifest real physical symptoms. Mild anxiety is vague and unsettling, while severe anxiety can be extremely debilitating, having a serious impact on daily life.Therefore whenever we get the anxious, we should always remember that in Matthew 6:26-34 Jesus has confronted our fruitless anxiety. He tells us to look at how God feeds the birds of the air and arrays the lilies of the field. How much more will He care for his children?
“Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life’s span? And why are you anxious about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; thy do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these. But if God so arrays the grass of the field, which is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more do so for you, O men of little faith? Do not be anxious then saying What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘With what shall we clothe ourselves?’ For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own”.
We should learn to cast our cares to Him. Every day will bring new opportunities to cast our cares upon Him. One of the best ways we can do this is by replacing our worry and tension with prayer and thanksgiving. “Be anxious for nothing,” the Bible says, “but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Phil 4:6). This command is followed by a wonderful promise: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7).
