The Gospel of Matthew, chapter 6 vs. 25-34 (New International Version)

jesus speaking,

25 Therefore I tell you: do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; nor for your body, what will you wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow, nor reap, nor store in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any of you by toiling add a single hour to his life?

28 And why do you worry about clothes? Look how the flowers of the field grow. They do not work or spin. 29 But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of them. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not do much more for you, ye of little faith? or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the heathen run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you have need of them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Every day he has enough problems of his own.”

Jesus did not mince words when it comes to worrying about the things of this life. In fact, he told his hearers in verse 30, “O you of little faith!”

I am a Christian and I was saved early in my life. I fight anxiety! When I asked the Lord in prayer for a topic to write about, he impressed on my heart that I should speak about an area that has been an ongoing spiritual battle.

There was a time in my life when I worked full time, in a business part time, enrolled in graduate school taking courses and babysitting my young son and daughter at night while my wife worked.

My days often spanned from 6 am to 1 am as my youngest daughter forced herself to stay up until Mom got home.

I started having panic attacks due to the stress and anxiety of dealing with all these tasks. My panic attacks became so severe that I could barely eat in a restaurant or around people. For several years I could not eat comfortably outside the home, even at the table. He was hyperventilating and experiencing chest tightness and shortness of breath. It often felt like fluid was continually running down my throat and making me swallow before I was ready. On more than one occasion I was taken by ambulance to the emergency room

It was during this time that I started taking prescription drugs like Zoloft to help me cope. I started taking 50 milligrams and then increased it to 100 milligrams. During those years I was not happy either. I wanted (what I thought at the time was a noble cause) to earn enough money so that my wife could be a stay-at-home mom, buy more things, and have more free time. I wanted to increase my net worth so that I could have some of the best things this world has to offer.

During the early part of adulthood I tried multiple business ventures. Some of them earned a small income, but not enough to support our lifestyle. My poor decision making got us into deep debt, which we are still getting out of today. My credit was wrecked and collectors became my best friend (ha ha) calling me every day adding to my anxiety.

all this created true anxiety that manifested itself in physical forms.

I cannot say enough about my godly wife and her forgiveness and faithfulness. She might have given up on me years ago, but her love for me has remained constant. Just as Jesus forgave her faults, she forgave mine. I love her and appreciate her very much. To date, we have been married (by the grace of God) for over 21 years.

Now, before I mention any more past hurts, let me add that since then God has helped me get over the severe panic attacks I used to have. I no longer have panic attacks. I am also off Zoloft and do not take any prescription drugs.

I bear witness to the fact that anxiety is real and rampant in the Church. But, through God it can be overcome. I am proof of this.

Looking back, while I was discontent and without faith, Jesus still remained faithful to me. This is because I belong to him and was bought at a high price. (2 Timothy 2 verse 13; 1 Corinthians 6 verse 20)

I read Matthew 6 over and over again. I didn’t believe (although Jesus said so) that I could have that kind of faith. Even today, I have my bad days. I’m just too human!

I often remember the following verse: Philippians 1 vs. 6, “He who began a good work in you, he will finish it.” Jesus is not done with me. Amen!

How does a Christian live without anxiety? Let me just say that I don’t think taking a prescription drug is bad. God inspired people to make these drugs. If you need them, take them. Just don’t abuse them.

A Christian struggling with anxiety must continually pray for healing and trust God as the source of strength for each day. It is in our weaknesses that we experience all of God’s power.

Jesus said in John 15 vs. 5, “I am the vine, you are the branches. If you abide in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

Anxiety can be hereditary. Anxiety can be a spiritual attack from the enemy. Anxiety can also come from sin in our lives or from making bad decisions. My first step in overcoming anxiety was to finally accept my bad decisions and bad decisions as the cause of much of it. I accepted responsibility for my actions and confessed this sin. By doing this God removed my guilt and gave me his peace.

It is very important that Christians understand that God does not concern us. God is not responsible for our anxiety. In fact, not only did Jesus say not to worry, but God inspired the writer of Philippians to say in chapter 4 vs. 6-7, “6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience the peace of God, which exceeds all we can understand His peace will guard your hearts and your thoughts while you live in Christ Jesus”.

God gives us his peace when we diligently seek him and rest in him! Since we are given peace from him, there is no room for anxiety.

The answer to dealing with anxiety in our lives is to ask God for help, rest in his promises, and remove all triggers in our lives that may be causing us anxiety.

For example, I don’t sleep well. I often find that a tired mind doesn’t work well throughout the day. When I’m exhausted, I tend to lash out at my children or other people. I may say things I regret, causing me great guilt and the need to regret it later. I can spend money that I don’t have, eat poorly, stop exercising, stop praying or stop reading the word of God. Do you think sleep is a trigger? This!

To combat this, you may need to turn off the TV earlier, watch your caffeine intake, and turn off all distractions so you can sleep better.

When I am rested, I find that I am more patient with people and the quality of my work and time with God is better. I also find that I sin less.

HASyes John 15 clearly says, Jesus is the answer for Christian anxiety. We must continually abide in him through prayer and the word of God.

Knowing who we are in Jesus is also critical to overcoming anxiety. The enemy comes to steal and destroy. Satan and his demons will do everything possible to destroy a Christian’s testimony and joy. The following are just a few Biblical facts about the Christian. Rest in these promises from God’s word:

1 Peter 2 vs. 9: “But you are a chosen lineage, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a special inheritance from God, so that you may announce the virtues of him who called you out of darkness into his admirable light.”

Novels 6 vs. 6: “For we know that our old man was crucified with him so that the sin-ridden body might be removed,”

1 Corinthians 12 vs. 27: “You are now the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”

1 John 3 vs. 1-2: “See what great love the Father has poured out on us, so that we may be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason why the world does not know us is because it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we are to be has not yet been revealed. But we know that when Christ appears, we will be like him, because we will see him as he is.”

Novels 8 vs. 28: “And we know that God works all things for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

1 Peter 5 vs. 7: “Cast all your anxiety on him, for he cares for you.”

Dear reader, we are greatly loved by God. He cares about us! (1 Peter 5 verse 7). Concentrate on his promises and trust him all his life. Even his mistakes and failures must be turned over to God, who offers mercy and grace. He died for you and wants you above all else. Come to him as you are.

My prayer is that you overcome anxiety through the power of God. The first beginning is to confess your need for a savior (Jesus Christ) and place your faith in him. If today you hear the voice of God speaking to your heart and calling you, do not harden your heart. Confess your sinfulness to him and ask him to save you. He will do it!

My story is not that unusual for many Christians. Anxiety is a real problem, but it can be overcome through Jesus.

God bless you!