“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” — Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
Akio Morita, co-founder of Sony Corporation, once described his father as a man “who could worry that he had nothing to worry about!” In life, of course, there are many things that can stir anxiety from time to time. An anticipated payment needed to meet a deadline can cause deep unease until it arrives. A looming inspection by government authorities that might close a business can keep one on edge until it is safely passed. Even a small, unusual spot on the body can trigger fear that it might be something serious.
When anxiety invades us, how we respond matters most. If we allow it to paralyse us and strip away all hope, that is truly unfortunate. Yet anxiety can also become a force for creativity, stirring ideas that leave us in a better place. Thinking carefully through a problem and seeking solutions, rather than sinking into fear, is one way to overcome it. Being positive helps.
There is another powerful weapon against anxiety: the One to whom we look up to. The story of Jesus’ disciples is deeply illustrative. Terrified that a storm was about to overwhelm them, they turned their eyes and attention to Jesus. “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” they cried out anxiously as they woke Him (Mark 4:38). After He calmed the storm, He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (v. 40). In short, when any storm wells up anxiety within us, we are to turn our eyes to Jesus and trust that He is able to calm it.
Jesus was not unaware that life brings many things that can make us anxious. One may lack funds to cover the grocery bill. A precious job may be under threat of retrenchment or unfair dismissal. There can seem every reason to worry. Yet He counselled, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” (Luke 12:25-26). Then He added, “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!” (vv. 27-28).
No one should make light of whatever makes us anxious. But there is a way through. God tells us that when anxiety and worry press in, we must not surrender to fear until it becomes master of our lives. Instead, we are to cast all our worries and anxieties on Him, assured that He will take command of the situation. As 1 Peter 5:7 declares, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
Prayer: Heavenly Father, when I face situations that fill me with anxiety and worry, help me to look up to You, for You have the power to still every storm. May I not give myself to needless worry, as You have told us, but continually lift my eyes to You. This I pray in Jesus’ name.
