All the Feels // Anxiety
We’re all looking for a cure for our ailment, are we not. Looking for that “thing” that will bring instant relief to our anxiety or get us out of the season. Cures are hard to come by but we do find one for anxiety in Luke 12.
“And he said to his disciples, ‘Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, 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, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.’
‘Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.’”
In this passage, Jesus is sharing with his disciples on the topic of anxiety. He references the birds and the grass—God takes care of them. And if God takes care of them, how much more will He take care of you!
Worry and anxiety don’t add any value and only rob today of its value. In fact, Jesus says he knows what you need. Indeed, pray for what you need but don’t let the worry of what might happen drive you to a place of denial. Instead, fix your eyes on the Father and He will take care of all of these things.
So, what’s the cure exactly?
1. Remember that God already has your needs in mind. (v. 30) He knows what you really need in this life to thrive in the calling placed on your life. He knows your struggles and tension, even before you do. Nothing in your life will ever surprise Him, so trust Him to work all things out for good. Trust that He will take care of all your needs.
2. Set your focus on Him. (v. 31) Fix your eyes firmly on Him. Not on your needs or the fear, but on Him. Looking only to Him in your hour of trouble. With this kind of focus, fears disappear on the horizon.
3. Store up your treasures in Heaven. (v. 33) Live with a Kingdom purpose. This means living out your purpose with conviction, serving others, having pure motives, and doing all things with the mission of building the Kingdom of God. May all that you do have eternal value.
At the core of this cure is keeping Christ at the center!