Escaping the Anxiety Tornado

Worry has stolen many hours of sleep from me. And yet the next morning, the worries are still there. And then I have to face the day tired, grumpy, and still anxious. I know that the Bible says “Do not be anxious” — but it’s hard not to be. I can’t just flip a switch and end the tornado of anxious thoughts and emotions. I have found that meditating on Matthew 6:25-34 helps redirect my thoughts. 

Jesus starts by telling us, “Do not be anxious,” and repeats it two more times. This is comforting for us because it shows that he knew that his listeners (and future followers) would struggle with being anxious. Jesus understood that we would be pulled in different directions and distracted from following him wholeheartedly. But Jesus doesn’t only tell us not to be anxious — he also reminds us why we don’t need to be anxious. 

Jesus uses several questions and two object lessons as he teaches.   Earlier in his sermon, Jesus had instructed the crowds to pray to “our Father in heaven” and to ask for “daily bread” (Matthew 6:9,11). Now he is reminding us that our heavenly Father even provides sustenance for the birds that he created. We are created in our heavenly Father’s image, so why wouldn’t he provide for us also?  To wrap up the lesson from the birds, Jesus reminds us that we are not able to extend our lives by worrying. Rather than being distracted with worry over what we can’t control, we can remember how our heavenly Father delights to provide for all of His creation. 

The second object lesson uses another word picture from nature. Just as the birds “neither sow nor reap,” the lilies “neither toil nor spin” — and yet,  God clothes them with glory greater than the richest, wisest king of Israel. The Greek word for “consider” indicates that we should watch and learn. The lilies can teach us about God! This argument ends with another sober observation —our worry reveals little faith. 
After the object lessons from nature, Jesus asks us to seek first his kingdom and his righteousness. He doesn’t say to work harder to increase our righteousness. He had already told the crowds in Matthew 5:20 that they wouldn’t be able to enter the kingdom unless they were more righteous than the Pharisees. He also warned them about pridefully exhibiting their righteousness in Matthew 6:1. Our righteousness will always be tainted with sin and will never be enough. 
We need to seek Jesus because in Him, we are made righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21). He was sinless and fulfilled all righteousness. Because of his perfect obedience, we can rest in his righteousness. 
This is amazing news! Our confidence is not in the strength of our faith or our ability to control our lives -- our confidence is in the object of our faith. Jesus is our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30). Through Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and ascension, we have been given everything we need. Why would we be anxious about things such as food, drink, clothes, or our bodies? Why would he not graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32). We can easily be pulled away by fear of the future, but we know that God is sovereign. 
When we take a close look at Jesus’ words, we realize he didn’t tell us to never think about clothing, food, or our bodies. It isn’t wrong to be concerned about those things. Jesus isn’t saying we should sit back, relax, and forget about providing for ourselves and our families. Rather, Jesus says, “Seek first.”  Seeking his kingdom is the first priority. When our thoughts start to spiral out of control, we can reorient our compass. 
So what does it look like to seek his kingdom when we’re staring at the ceiling at 2 a.m., when our bodies are exhausted, but our minds refuse to rest? It may look less like having the “right” thoughts and more like bringing our anxious ones honestly before our Father. 
Seeking his kingdom in that moment might mean turning our worry into prayer. They may not be polished or eloquent prayers, but simple ones. Heavenly Father, you know what worries me, and you know what I need. You see tomorrow more clearly than I do. Help me trust you for what I need each day.
Jesus doesn’t call us to deny the reality of our needs or pretend that tomorrow doesn’t matter. He invites us to remember who reigns over the future. When anxiety presses in, we are reminded again that we are not sovereign—but God is. And the One who rules the kingdom is also our Father.
Worry leaves us weary. Jesus offers something better. 
He offers rest grounded in his righteousness, not our performance.
He provides peace rooted in God’s provision, not our foresight. 
When sleep doesn’t come and anxiety lingers, we can return—again and again—to the truth that our lives are held by him.
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3
​
Also see: Always Here, Winter Glory