Be Anxious About Nothing

I’m so excited for you to begin this study! Anxiety is such a widespread issue, and it’s something I have personally battled in my own life. Thankfully, over the years, God has shown me that it is possible to manage anxiety with His help.

In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus teaches us such an important lesson—to live one day at a time and not to spend any of them worrying about anything. The truth is, when we spend today being anxious or worried about tomorrow, we waste today and accomplish nothing that will change tomorrow!

Every single day, each one of us deals with circumstances that can be causes for worry. For instance, in recent months, Dave and I have had plenty of opportunities to be worried and anxious…

First, we had to have our television repaired. We also had a larger gas line put in our home because our generator wasn’t working correctly, and after paying several hundred dollars for it, the generator still doesn’t work as it should. Also, every time we have a really hard rain and the wind blows in a certain direction, we get water in our house. This has gone on for almost two years, and no one can figure out why it happens!

In addition, I found out I need cataract surgery—it will require two procedures, one on each eye. And in the midst of the two operations, I also have a speaking engagement and have no idea what my eyes will feel like or how well I will be able to see.

I share this glimpse into my life because I want you to know that challenges happen to everyone—they are a part of life. Worrying about them doesn’t change a thing, except that it steals our peace and joy.

Any time I have a problem, my first instinct is to worry, but after doing that for a few minutes, I remind myself that I have often traveled the road of worry, and it has never once taken me to my desired destination—peace. It’s never given me a solution to the problems I face. In fact, worrying is like rocking in a rocking chair all day: It keeps you busy but gets you nowhere!

I think we should all do a little bird watching. This may sound funny, but it is exactly what Jesus suggests we do (see Matthew Chapter 6). Birds are everywhere, so we should not have a hard time watching them. Birds are not nervous, anxious, or worried. They fly around happily waiting for their next meal to appear. The meal may consist of seeds that have fallen from a plant or tree, bird seed that someone has put out because they have a bird feeder, a worm, or some bug on the ground, which God provides for them.

Matthew 6:26 tells us that God provides for the birds and says that we are more valuable than they are, so why should we doubt that He will provide for us?

I want to encourage you—don’t be a person of little faith. Have big faith because God knows what you need. It’s so easy to worry about necessities like food, drink, and clothing. And when “life happens” and things go wrong, these are all opportunities to let anxiety fill our hearts. However, peace starts by trusting God to take care of you, knowing that He sees your every need and will always be there to help you.

Adapted from the book The Answer to Anxiety by Joyce Meyer. Copyright 2023 by Joyce Meyer. Published by Hachette Book Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

Prayer: “Lord, thank You for always taking care of me. Even when my problems are piling up and everything feels like it’s spinning out of control, I know You will provide me with what I need when I need it. Help me to put my faith in You first and take one day at a time. In Jesus’ name, amen.”