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Anxiety, a current tidal wave crashing all around.

“I’ve been thinking about why I’m afraid to go to church.”

These were my friend’s words, my friend who for years has not only gone to church but has been very active in leadership in the women’s ministry at her church.

I was honored that she trusted me with her story.
I was encouraged that she was pondering her fear.

But was she really experiencing fear or was it anxiety?

Fear – the response to an awareness of real danger.
Anxiety – the anticipation of a possible future danger.
Merriam-Webster dictionary

 

Matthew 5, 6, and 7 could be thought of as one of Jesus’s manuals on discipleship.

Matthew 6:25-34 is all about anxiety. 

Anxious, anxiety’s verb appears 6 times in these 10 verses. Three times in an invitation, do not be anxious; two times in a question, why are you anxious; and one truth statement, tomorrow will be anxious for itself.

 

 

Each of the invitations starts with a “therefore”. Because of what was just said, therefore …

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life …” (verse 34). That invitation comes after the exhortation to lay up treasure in heaven (verse 20). Money is needed to buy food and clothing, and God provides. The comparison with the birds teaches about God’s provision (verse 26). Do not be anxious.

 

And our need for clothing is compared with Solomon (verse 29) and the lilies of the field (verse 28). “Will he [God] not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” (verse 30). “Therefore do not be anxious saying, … ‘What shall we wear?’ … your heavenly Father knows …” (verses 31 and 32).

 

 

My anxiety is related to my faith, my little faith. OUCH!

God knows my needs. It may be food and clothing. It may be understanding how much God loves me. Perhaps it is knowing that God has a purpose for my life. Maybe it’s trusting that God is sovereign in my current hards: my friends struggling with physical issues, or uncertain futures.

Because He knows, His discipleship offers this invitation and this promise:

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,
and all these things will be added to you.”
Matthew 6:33

Therefore, I do not even need to be anxious about tomorrow.
I needed to memorize this verse. I need to review this promise. I need to trust its offer.

And I ask:

God, what would it look like to trust you today with my basic needs?
God, what would it look like for me to seek your kingdom today?
God, I’m feeling anxious about meeting up with my friend for lunch. Can you encourage                               me?
God, I’m feeling anxious about returning to church. What is really going on?
God, what about our future? What are Your plans?

God also knows my level of faith. “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” Romans 12:3 (underline mine).

With the faith God has given me, I can walk confidently, even in my very real anxieties.

God is with me!

“The Lord is at hand (near);
do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:5-7 (parentheses & underlining are mine)

God knows my realities … those things that cause anxiety.
God knows my level of faith … what He is trusting me with.
God is with me!
God gives promises, promises that surpass my human understanding.

Matthew passages speaking of “O you of little faith”:
Matthew 6:25-34
Matthew 8:23-27
Matthew 14:28-33
Matthew 16:5-12
Matthew 17:19-21

Copyright: Sue Tell, January 2026