Matthew 6:25-34

Matthew 6:25-34

Anxiety is something I am abundantly familiar with. Everyone gets anxious about something. For me, the majority of my anxiety stems from the fear that I’m never enough. I worry that I could be doing more, that others don’t think I do a good job at what I do, or that I am falling short of what God wants from me. For others, their anxiety comes from looking at a full calendar, feeling no control over their circumstances, fear of losing what is most valuable to them, or even worrying about what will go wrong in the coming week. Everyone gets anxious.

So what’s the cure? Is it antidepressants? Is it years of counseling? Is it psychotherapy, fitness goals, a new diet, etc? How can we stop being so anxious? Certainly, all of these things are gifts from God in the battle to overcome our anxieties and live more meaningful and peaceful lives. Many have the unfortunate experience of battling with mental illnesses and anxiety disorders, and must rely on these avenues to find any comfort at all.

But none of these things brings resolution to our problem with anxiety. Yes, they help us cope, but to truly overcome our anxiousness, the fear driving the anxiety must be removed entirely. How can a woman not be anxious when her health is on the line? Wouldn’t you? How can a man not be anxious when he fears the loss of his job by telling the truth about his failure to complete a task? Unless we are told that we have nothing to worry about, we will worry until our uncertainty is resolved.

So what has become the result of our society’s common struggle with worry? Anxiety has become so common in our age that we practically treat it as a personality trait; something to laugh about, something to medicate, something to manage. However, scripture treats it differently; not as a fun label to ascribe ourselves to and to coexist with us, but rather, something to be extinguished and retaliated against. In his words in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus calls his followers to a higher standard; not just one of outward compliance, but of inner transformation. Jesus makes sure that the listener understands: the life he is inviting them into is one of relief from anxiety.

“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? (Matthew 6:25, ESV).

Jesus turns to this subject of worry with a directness that is startling. He does not say, “Try to worry less.“ He does not offer a breathing exercise or a gratitude journal. He says, “Do not be anxious about your life.” The command is clear, and it lands with the full weight of his authority.

But how, Jesus? How do we let our worries go? How do we find relief when there are so many things we must take care of to stay afloat in this life? Jesus’ answer is where the relief we’ve all been searching for is truly found.

“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?” (Matthew 6:30).

His answer is simple. You can rest because God has it under his control. You can rest because he is the one who supports and sustains all things, and on whom all things rely. Your life is not within the realm of your control as it is. Do not be anxious over what is not yours to govern. God rules all, and he will take care of you.

Now, while these should be some of the most comforting and life-changing words in scripture, they are turned to far too little to see the change they warrant. I admit, I am guilty of the same. It seems that many would rather turn what has been given by God as a tool for battle against anxiety into the source of their comfort. Whether it be therapy, medication, work, sex, etc, our utilities become nothing more than vices when the true source of provision is forgotten and neglected. As Augustine rightly said, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you” (Augustine 1.1.1).

So, what is our dilemma? Why do we struggle to turn our mind to the one of whom it is said, “In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also”? (Psalm 95:4). I presume Jesus’ message to be so neglected because the five verses which proceed these words (Matthew 6:19-24) are overlooked. As verse 25 indicates, Jesus begins his call for a worry-free people with the word, “therefore.” In other words, his exhortation proceeds from his words in verses 19-24, which state,

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 5:19-24).

A life that revolves around earthly treasures comes with the fear of losing these treasures. Moths and rust destroy, and thieves steal. That’s the reality of this life. Nothing temporary is guaranteed. Either you’ll lose it, or you’ll die before you do. Therefore, we can’t expect to live anxiety-free lives when what we treasure above all else are earthly things. Whether it be popularity, wealth, health, food, clothing, you name it, it’s all temporary and therefore subject to loss.

Jesus calls us to a greater treasure. Not one that fades and fizzles with time, trends, or popularity, but rather, one that has infinite and eternal value. Jesus calls us to value God above all else. This is the power by which he states, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these thing will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

Conclusion:

So, what is Jesus’ cure to anxiety? Treasuring above all what cannot be lost. When we value our walk with God, his kingdom, our heavenly reward, and the fruit that comes from our lives above all else, we are freed from anxiety. Why? Because it is he who secures and holds these treasures for us. Not our own effort or merit.

As long as we value the temporary over the eternal, we will be anxious about anything and everything. So, fight anxiety with the knowledge of your superior treasure. Every moment of worry is an opportunity to remind yourself of the superior and infinitely valuable wealth granted to you and secured by Christ. Don’t accept your anxiety. Accept the greater treasure - God himself.