Matthew 6:25-34
God doesn’t want you to be anxious or filled with nervous dread. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addressed the crowds, saying:
“Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ Or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’… Do not worry about tomorrow” (Matthew 6:31,34).
We all experience worry about life’s necessities at some point. Food, shelter, clothing, friendships, and others’ opinions often fuel our anxieties. At the heart of these concerns lies faith and trust in God. Do we truly believe He will fulfill His promises as laid out in His word?
Who’s in Control?
Assuming you’re solely responsible for your life invites anxiety and fear. However, understanding God’s ways reveals Him as the one in charge, the sovereign God of the universe who cares for you. Worrying and doubting His goodness prevents you from experiencing the peace He offers. Do you make time to acknowledge Him as your provider? Your level of anxiety might be directly linked to your answer.
The Anxious Wheel
Imagine a mouse endlessly running on a wheel. The faster it runs, the faster the wheel spins, but it goes nowhere. It doesn’t even know to get off. This is how anxiety works. Fearful thoughts fill your mind, and you scramble to meet others’ demands or prevent imagined disasters. Yet, complete control over circumstances remains elusive because God is ultimately in charge.
Stepping Off the Wheel
There’s only one way to escape the anxiety wheel: acknowledging God’s ability to meet your every need. He created you, intimately knowing your needs and deepest desires (Psalms 37:4). He longs for you to break free from the cycle of anxiety and let Him lead (Matthew 11:28).
First Peter 5:6-7 instructs us: “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” The word “casting” is related to a Greek verb used in Luke 19:35, where the people of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday threw their garments on a colt for Jesus to ride. It describes deliberately setting something down and leaving it there.
Surrender Your Cares
Jesus wants you to relinquish your anxieties to Him and leave them with Him. You depend on Him for life itself. Acknowledge this by saying, “Here, Jesus. Take my problems. You have the answers! I trust You to show me what to do and take care of the consequences.”
