Why Are You Anxious?

In Matthew 6:28 Jesus asked, “Why are you anxious?” Jesus said that God cared for the grass and the birds and so He will surely meet our needs as well.  Yet are so often very anxious.

Anxiety frustrates and immobilizes us without giving us any goods results.  It causes bad mental consequences such as confusion, discouragement and preoccupied minds.  It can physically effect us with stomach troubles; heart disease, high blood pressure; suppressing our immune systems. And it effects us spiritually by weighing down our hearts (Luke 21:34) and even choking out the word of God. (Mark 4:19)

Anxiety is enhanced by a lack of faith as we dwell on a great parade of imaginary horribles that our mind dreams up. Most of all, anxiety is increased by sin. “I confess my iniquity; I am full of anxiety because of my sin.” (Ps. 38:18)

Anxiety can be reduced by a number of godly measures: Trust (1 Pet.5:5,6; Ps. 55:22); Prayer (Luke 21:36); not worrying about what we’ve been forgiven of (1 Cor. 15:9,10); taking problems one day at a time (Matt. 6:34); being busy for others and filling our mind with godly things (Phil. 4:8,9).

Finally, if all else fails to reduce you anxiety for the future, count your blessings.  Recall what God has done for you in the past and is doing for you now. (1 Thess. 5:16-18) Then think on what God will do in the future for those that trust in Him.  Jesus continues to ask, “Why are you anxious?”