Anxiety - Jesus’ teaching about anxiety (Part 2)
In our last post, we introduced the topic of anxiety as a universal and persistent threat to the well-being of humans, including of disciples of Jesus. We defined anxiety as “a feeling of unease or dread about a potential future event.” We said that “the cause of anxiety is the belief that something personally harmful is imminent.” Finally, we said that “feelings are a natural part of being human which help us understand the beliefs and desires of the mind and heart….”
In order to reduce anxiety, we have to focus not on the feeling of anxiety but rather on the underlying beliefs and desires of the human heart. We must work to eliminate false beliefs and bad desires. If we are able to do that, with God’s help, we will be able to eliminate anxiety.
Does this sound far-fetched or overly simplistic? Let’s look at some words of Jesus about anxiety to gain additional perspective about how to move forward in dealing with anxiety.
[25] “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? [26] 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? [27] And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? [28] And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, [29] yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [30] 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? [31] Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ [32] For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. [33] But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. [34] “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:25–34)
[32] “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. [33] Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. [34] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Luke 12:32–34)
Let’s examine the beliefs and desires Jesus is pinpointing in the hearts of his hearers:
Desires:
“I want to have enough food and clothing.”
“I want my needs to be met in the future.”
(These are not bad desires!)
Belief:
“In order to have enough food and clothing and to have my needs met in the future, I must work hard to provide securely for my future needs.”
There is a subtle error in this belief statement, which makes it a false, anxiety-producing belief.
Jesus is asking his hearers to resolve the error and revise the belief statement.
Revised belief:
“In order to have enough food and clothing and to have my needs met in the future, I must seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, focusing on the needs and tasks of each day at a time, trusting that God will provide for my daily needs perfectly and completely. This may involve planning and preparing for the future, or it may involve selling my possessions and giving them away. In either case, I must focus on securing my possessions in the Kingdom of heaven rather than securing my possessions in the kingdom of earth.”
Jesus is saying that this belief will protect His hearers from anxiety.
Questions to consider and discuss:
For the beliefs you identified in the situations you considered in the previous post, can you identify any errors (lies; false beliefs) in those beliefs?
How is Jesus asking you to resolve the error(s) and revise your beliefs?