Full of WorrySýnishorn

Sinful anxiety

What is sinful anxiety? It’s fear. Do you know what it is to live your life full of uneasiness and dread? Fear is about what may potentially happen. Anxiety is always future-oriented. Fear is fixed on the unknown.

People worry over relationships, finances, possessions, health, and sometimes over nothing specific. A general sense of darkness can settle on a person; someone has described that as “fear looking for a cause.” It is that kind of fear that our Lord talks about when He says, “Do not be anxious” (Matthew 6:25). Such fear and anxiety stem from illegitimate concern, the kind that doesn’t trust God.

There are four reasons why you can rest in the Lord, and your heart can be at peace. Four reasons why you can put your head down tonight, go to sleep, and not be troubled. Four reasons why we should trust our God. Each of these four reasons flows out of the organization of the text of our Lord’s sermon in Matthew chapter 6.

Let’s follow our Lord’s argument here. First of all, how is it that I can trust the Lord? Because God assumes responsibility for the care of His servant. The first, therefore, at the beginning of verse 25, look backward, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life.” In light of what, Lord? In light of what He’s just told us in the previous verses. You and I are supposed to be focused on Heaven. That's how God has saved us to live. We are meant to fix our eyes on what is most valuable—eternal things.

You serve your God with single-hearted focus, not distracted, because, as Matthew 6:24 says, “You cannot serve God and money.” You can live your life counting on the fact that God will take care of you in this world. You can focus on what is most valuable because God will take care of what is less valuable in your life. He has assumed responsibility for the care of His servants. You don’t serve God at your own cost. He takes care of you so you can serve Him focused on your true treasure.

Why do you not need to be afraid? Because the Lord has saved you and enslaved you to Himself. The Lord has brought you into His service, and He cares for His servants. He is the perfect Master. You can rest in His care.