Every now and then, we’ll publish an old post from the archives to remind, encourage, and edify the blog’s audience. Enjoy!
Feeling worried today?
Take a minute and read Luke 12:22-34.
Here, Jesus addresses our causes for anxiety, particularly our fear of not having the things we need. It is strange how any feeling of want or insecurity or fear immediately leads us to conclude that God doesn’t care for us. If so, why would he let this happen? How foolish it is to doubt God’s good care, and yet Jesus is gentle to remind us: God isn’t oblivious to their needs or your needs. He sees you. He provides for the rest of creation, and you are more important than birds and flowers. So he will certainly provide for you.
If that doesn’t calm your fears, listen to verse 32. Jesus says:
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
Jesus commands us to not be afraid, and then he gives us the reason not to fear. In your anxieties about your life, your health, your body, your relationships, your finances, and your future, Jesus says this: It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
What does that mean? How is that supposed to be comforting?
Jesus is basically saying: It’s going to be ok. When I’m feeling afraid, I appreciate when people say, ‘It will be all right’, but I also know that they have no real way of knowing that. What if things get worse? But when Jesus says it, it is different. Because he knows.
Here is the reality.
For those who are in Christ, all the bad news is temporary. All the things that cause us to worry are limited to this short life. Beyond it, we are promised a kingdom where we will never lack and never fear. We have an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for us (1 Peter 1:4). Nothing can change that! Regardless of the amount or depth of the trials God allows to befall us in this life, they are ‘light momentary afflictions’ (2 Corinthians 4:17) that ‘[are] not worth comparing to the glory that is to be revealed to us’ (Romans 8:18).
We need to be reminded of this if we are going to combat anxiety of any kind.
Most kids hate getting shots (and many adults too). If we know we’re going to the doctor to get a shot, we can worry for days about it. But a shot is a moment of discomfort that takes up about one second of our life. Even though it isn’t pleasant, it isn’t worth worrying about that single second of discomfort for several days prior. A little perspective is helpful. Your life may be really hard and painful at times, even for long seasons, but your Father is preparing the kingdom for you and preparing you for the kingdom.
God’s answer to your anxiety is the Gospel, the promise of the kingdom. If anxiety is the fear of bad news, then we need to spend more time listening to, meditating on, and resting in the good news. This doesn’t ignore the real pain and discomfort of worry, but it does remove its fangs.
What is sickness and death to worry about when we await a resurrection? ‘O Death, where is your sting!’ (1 Corinthians 15:55). What is poverty when we have a heavenly inheritance that does not rust and thieves cannot steal? What is hunger when we are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb? What is loneliness when we have been adopted into God’s family? What is regret when all our sins are forgiven and every tear will be wiped away? What is nakedness when we will have robes of righteousness?
The answer: temporary. These concerns are real and valid, but they are also temporary. The kingdom promised us by the Father is forever.
So don’t worry. It’s going to be OK.
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