Tomorrow Will Worry About Itself

Anxiety. Depression.

Two very big buzzwords in the world today. I can't tell you how many times I hear someone saying they have anxiety or depression. Many people wear them like a badge of honor and look at you like you're odd if you don't express the same feelings. In my post Have You Settled for Less, I talk about how we as a society tend to embrace labels rather than the identity God has given us. It can be easier to accept the labels or diagnosis because it gives us a sense of control or it provides some answers to things we are seeking.

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a feeling that happens when we fear, worry, are uneasy, or overstressed. Many times it's characterized by the feelings we have in our physical body such as rapid heart rate, sweating, tension, or headaches.

Life can get heavy. Things happen and come our way without any sort of notice or warning. Anxiety happens when we put our focus on things outside of our control. Usually, it's a future-based situation needing a solution. Many things in life are outside of the parameters of our control. Anxiety happens because we want very much to be in control and to know what's going to happen.

What is Depression?

Depression is a state of feeling sad, lonely, or in despair. It's often accompanied by guilt, inactivity, and social withdrawal.

Depression can occur when you are looking at situations in the past. It could be that something happened to you that was outside of your control, or a choice you made and regret. Whatever the case, whatever happened, cannot be undone. You want to change it, but are unable to, which causes the feelings of sadness and despair.

I'm tired of feeling this way. How can find peace?

God put Matthew 6:25-34 on my heart to share with all of you. I want to walk you through it and hopefully offer a little bit of encouragement and support.

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?"

Matthew 6:25 ESV

In this verse, Jesus is telling us that we should not be anxious about anything, from what we will eat to what we will wear. He asks the question, "Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?" By asking this question, He is expanding the thoughts and minds of the people. Life is so full. It's more than the things we do or the things we eat or wear. Your physical being is far more than the clothing you wear. You have talents, abilities, and a personality. You're not merely a clothing rack or mannequin.

"Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?"

Matthew 6:26-27 ESV

What do birds do to make sure there are fruits, nuts, seeds, or insects for them to eat? Nothing. They just go out and eat. They don't go around planting seeds and tending gardens to make sure they have the food they need for themselves or their babies. They also don't rely on manmade structures for shelter. God ensures they have ample food and resources. He takes care of the birds without them having to do anything to receive His love and kindness. God created you in His image (Genesis 1:27). He was not satisfied with creation until He made mankind. You are far more valuable than the birds.

Does being anxious add more time to your day or your life? If we're looking at statistics, anxiety actually reduces your lifespan by about 7-10 years. God did not create us to live in survival mode or to worry about what the future holds. (Jeremiah 29:11, Philippians 4:6-7, Deuteronomy 31:8, Psalm 23) He did not give us a spirit of fear either (2 Timothy 1:7). Living in anxiety not only feels awful, but is shaving precious time off your life.

"And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?"

Matthew 6:28-30 ESV

Lilies in a field, or any wildflower, are a beautiful sight to see. I know I love finding a surprise flower along my walks in the spring and summertime. Flowers don't work hard to create their beautiful color. They also don't take the time to weave or spin together the fabric of their petals. God was intentional in creating flowers that simply grow and exist in their beauty, even though the beauty only lasts for a short time.

Solomon was a very wise and wealthy king of Israel. I'm sure he had the most amazing clothes. Imagine being clothed in the finest material, precious metals, and gemstones. God is saying that even though he was clothed in the most magnificent garments, that still doesn't compare to the beauty in which God has created with the lilies because their beauty comes from Him, not man.

Grass is merely a resource God has given us, here today and gone tomorrow. If God put so much detail into making the grass beautiful, when it will just be disposed of, what makes you think He won't put thought and detail into your life? There isn't a need or want you have that is too big or too small for God. If we delight in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4).

"Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all."

Matthew 6:31-32 ESV

As believers, God will provide everything we need. People of the world worry. They worry because they don't have a God who knows their needs and will provide for them. In this verse, Jesus is saying, do not worry as the world does. God knows, and God has it handled for you.

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Matthew 6:33 ESV

We must first seek God. I read an analogy once that stuck with me. They said, most times we think about putting God first means that He goes in the top drawer of our dresser and then everything else falls in line after. Our goal as believers should be to have God as our dresser. With God as our dresser, our family, our work, our home, and everything else will be housed within Him. If we give everything to God and seek Him first, He will take care of everything. He's our protector. He keeps things where they should be. He will help to keep us from getting dusty or destroyed.

"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

Matthew 6:34 ESV

Today has enough to figure out without adding tomorrow's stuff to the list. When you're walking with Jesus, there is no need to worry about what's going to happen tomorrow or what happened yesterday. He knows exactly what you need, when you need it. You have enough on your plate without adding more to it.

---

My challenge for you:

• If you are feeling weighed down by the things of life, I want you to take inventory of what's going on.

  • You said or did some things you shouldn't have.

  • You wish a situation had turned out differently.

  • You have to have a hard conversation or had one that you're still thinking about.

  • You're stressing about finances (bills, food, job, etc.).

  • You're in a life change and aren't sure what to expect (new job, moving, divorce, starting school, etc.).

• Take those things to God in prayer.

  • If they are things that happened already, spend some time giving the situation to God. If there was an error on your part, take the time to repent for it and ask Him for forgiveness. God will never make you feel guilty or shameful. He will, however, convict you to bring your attention to an area of repentance.

  • If they are things that have not happened (things in the future or worries you have of possible outcomes), spend some time giving those worries and fears to God. Ask Him to help you let go so He can have His way in the situation.

This is not a linear process. By that, I mean it is in our nature to want to take back control. So you may find yourself worrying about them again. The key is to give it back to God when you realize you have and ask Him to help you leave it at His feet.

God has you 100%. If you're battling with anxiety or depression, I encourage you to seek help and support. That also can include me. I'm not a professional, but if there is something I can help support you with in prayer, drop me a note. It would be an honor to be a part of your journey.

---

Dear Lord

Thank you for the words you've given me. I pray that they touch the hearts and lives of those who read them. The world is filled with so much unknown. I am thankful to have You to protect me and provide for me. You are good, and You are faithful. Thank you for Your mercy and Your grace.

In Jesus' name. Amen.