by Kathleen Petersen
“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.”“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t there more to life than food and more to the body than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky: They do not sow, or reap, or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you more valuable than they are? And which of you by worrying can add even one hour to his life? Why do you worry about clothing? Think about how the flowers of the field grow; they do not work or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these! And if this is how God clothes the wild grass, which is here today and tomorrow is tossed into the fire to heat the oven, won’t he clothe you even more, you people of little faith? So then, don’t worry saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For the unconverted pursue these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own. Luke 12:24-34 NET
According to this Forbes article, “Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses in the U.S. and affect over 40 million adults, or 19.1% of the population.” The Mayo Clinic identifies some of the causes. The remaining 80% of illnesses are also affected by anxiety, but not so severely.
Although these reasonably authoritative articles from esteemed flagships of financial success and physical health are interesting, they probably don’t add much in helping us recognize main sources of anxiety. In the two millennia since Jesus spoke the words in Luke 12:22-34, nothing has truly changed on the list of most obvious and serious human concerns. Jesus’ summary statement gives sound guidance:
…the unconverted pursue these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own. Luke 12:30-31, 34 NET
Although we have daily troubles, it’s worth repeating Jesus’ counsel for the most secure investment we can make for a gold-plated future:
…above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Two prior verses in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount recommend recurring deposits into that secure investment:
…accumulate for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and devouring insects do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:20-21 NET
It’s tempting to squander energy, time and resources agonizing about many issues plaguing our current worldly system, and whether they can be fully anticipated, planned for, or solved. Of course we face serious personal, social, economic and political concerns that merit our heartfelt prayers and pertinent action, directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit. But, often to our frustration, outcomes are far beyond our control — even those ends that seem vital to building God’s kingdom.
Let’s cherish our precious, daily opportunities to invest in God’s kingdom and leave the ROI (return on investment) to him.
Here are questions you might consider if you find yourself headed into an anxiety spiral:
- Has God’s kingdom become your heart’s treasure?
- Do you see yourself and others seeking solutions in a perpetual tangle of problems?
- Are you spending an undue amount of time chasing worldly, unsatisfactory solutions for those problems?
- Will you commit to move consistently and intentionally away from anxiety pathways that center around things you and your loved ones lack?
- And will you renew your allegiance to and dependance on the provision our gracious, powerful King longs to provide?
If you need a nudge, this humorous approach by the comedian Bob Newhart has helped me to see my problems differently.
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