Moving Beyond Anxiety

​Luke 12:25-26 ~ “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?”
 
If anxiety is a sin, it is one of the most common. Everyone seems to succeed in discovering a multitude of reasons to be anxious. Some are more filled with anxiety than others, but the apprehension of life has found its way into everyone’s heart. The great Apostle Paul faced the condition. After deliberating on all his trials and persecutions, he says in 2 Corinthians 11:28, “And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.” Concerning the Philippian church, Paul testified to his anxiety, “I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious” (Philippians 2:28).
 
Let me encourage you to read the context found in Luke 12:22-31. Our text for today gives clear teaching on the reality of an anxious heart, “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” The primary reason people grow anxious over the course of their life stems from the simple fact that there is something that is not directly in their control. They cannot even add a single hour to their life. Take a moment to consider what is out of your control—and yet, are you anxious about it? There are those who are dreadfully anxious about the direction of the nation wherein their live. Others will fret and wring their hands concerning the state of the economy. Many will suffer the palpitations of heart as they ponder the next devastating storm. And, though we do worry about such dramatic occurrences, it is often the small things that take up most of our anxious thoughts. Consider what our LORD said in Luke 12:22-23, “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.”
 
So, our LORD asks the second question of our text today, “If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?” The small thing is adding an extra hour to our span of life, and we cannot even do that. In fact, it is quite probable that anxiety is reducing the effectiveness of the days that you do have. But let us strive to answer our LORD’s question. If we cannot control the outcome, why are we anxious? The simple answer is: a lack of trust in God. An example of this is found in Matthew 8:23-27. In short, the disciples were terrified that they would drown in a raging storm. All the while, Jesus was sound asleep. When the disciples woke Him, He asks in Matthew 8:26, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?”
 
Now, beloved, do not rebuke yourselves too harshly, for all of us have fallen into the same fear and dread of circumstances beyond our control. And we see in the example above that the disciples did exactly what we all must do—we must look to the LORD Jesus Christ. We read in Luke 12:29-31, “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.” This is not a call to sit on your hands and do nothing. The task set before each of us is to “seek His kingdom.” Simply put, it means to be faithful and obedient to Christ, doing what He has commanded in His word, and then trust that the LORD will provide for your needs.
 
So, my friends, let me encourage you today to set aside the anxiety of your heart and look to the LORD Jesus. Be diligent to do what is before you, and trust the LORD as you go. Paul tells the church in Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Peace of heart comes to those who will prayerfully and faithfully do what God has commanded. Jesus, our LORD, promised us His peace. In John 14:27 we read, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
 
Let us look to the LORD and trust Him. Let us lay down before Him every concern and anxious thought that we carry in our minds. The Holy Spirit who dwells in us is our comforter, and He will guide us into all truth—directing us to that which God has commanded and providing His peace to our hearts.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

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