Handling Anxiety & Worry — Learning the Non‑Anxious Way of Jesus

Key Scriptures (ESV): Matthew 6:25–34; Philippians 4:6–9; 1 Peter 5:6–7.

Jesus does not minimize real needs; He re‑orders them under the Father’s care. “Do not be anxious about your life… Look at the birds… Consider the lilies” (Matt 6:25–34). He redirects attention from imagined futures to present faithfulness: “Seek first the kingdom of God… Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow” (vv. 33–34). Paul harmonizes this with a practical triad—pray, give thanks, think on what is true and lovely (Phil 4:6–9). Peter adds a decisive transfer of weight: cast your anxieties on Him because He cares (1 Pet 5:7).

What the text says about anxiety. Anxiety is not abolished by denial but by a Person: the Father knows (Matt 6:32). Jesus exposes the futility of anxious striving and re‑anchors identity in sonship. Guzik notes Matthew 6 positions trust in the Father’s care—birds and lilies—as an antidote to worry and to religious performance that tries to secure life by self‑effort. Enduring Word On Philippians 4 he highlights that God’s peace will guard our hearts and minds when requests are presented with thanksgiving, and that disciplined thought‑curation (v.8) and practice (v.9) sustain a lifestyle of peace. Enduring Word Peter’s counsel ties casting cares to humility—handing off burdens is an act of trust under God’s mighty hand. Enduring Word

A six‑movement rhythm (A.N.C.H.O.R.).

• Acknowledge the worry by name before God (Phil 4:6): “Father, I am anxious about ____.”
• Name the truth about God’s care (Matt 6:32–33): “My Father knows; His Kingdom comes first.”
• Cast the weight decisively (1 Pet 5:7): picture placing the burden upon Christ’s strong shoulders.
• Hold thanksgiving in the same breath—identify specific mercies already present (Phil 4:6).
• Order your thought‑life (Phil 4:8) by dwelling two minutes on one true/honorable/pure thing from Scripture.
• Return to today (Matt 6:34): choose one “next right step” and refuse to borrow tomorrow’s trouble.

Common distortions that amplify anxiety.

1. Catastrophizing tomorrow: Jesus forbids time‑traveling fear (Matt 6:34).
2. Functional atheism: living as if the Father neither knows nor cares (Matt 6:31–32).
3. Prayerless problem‑solving: requests without thanksgiving leave the weight on your shoulders (Phil 4:6–7).
4. Ungoverned attention: minds graze on worst‑case scenarios; Paul’s eightfold filter trains attention toward reality as God defines it (Phil 4:8–9).

Practices for a non‑anxious week.

• Morning (5 min): Read Matthew 6:25–34 slowly. Write one sentence about what your Father knows today; surrender one concrete concern.
• Midday (3 min): Pray specific requests with thanks; name two gifts already present in the same domain as your request.
• Evening (4 min): Review the day; confess any worry you carried without casting; receive forgiveness; pray Psalm 4:8.

Exegetical notes. In Matthew 6 Jesus addresses three anxieties: provision (what to eat/drink), appearance (what to wear), and tomorrow. His “O you of little faith” invites trust, not shame; lilies and birds argue from lesser to greater—if God attends to the lesser, He will surely attend to His children. He also redeems imagination: rather than projecting disasters, imagine the Father’s faithful presence in the next 24 hours. Enduring Word Philippians 4 presents peace as a guard and pairs mindset with practice; 1 Peter 5 places casting within a posture of humility under the mighty hand of God. Enduring Word+1

Case study (an anxious manager). There is a budget shortfall; rumination spikes at 2 a.m. Try A.N.C.H.O.R.: acknowledge the fear, name the truth (the Father knows), cast it, hold thanksgiving (for teammates, past provision), order thought (what is true now?), return to today (schedule a hard conversation and one creative brainstorming session). Peace doesn’t erase responsibility; it energizes it.

Thirty‑day training plan.
Week 1: end every day with 1 Peter 5:7 written and prayed.
Week 2: memorize Matthew 6:33–34; at each worry spike, recite and breathe slowly.
Week 3: keep a gratitude list in the same domain as your fear.
Week 4: track your “today steps” each evening; celebrate small obediences.

Discernment checklist. Is my timeline fueled by fear or by faith? Am I living in a future I cannot control? Have I shared this burden with a mature believer? Which Kingdom priority can I act on within 24 hours?

A benediction for worriers. “The LORD bless you and keep you… and give you peace” (Num 6:24–26).

When anxiety is severe. Scripture commends wise counsel and practical help. Persistent, debilitating symptoms may call for pastoral and clinical care. Spiritual practices complement appropriate treatment.

Prayer. “Father, You know my needs before I ask. Teach me to seek Your Kingdom first, to pray with thanksgiving, and to cast—not clutch—my cares upon You. Guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Amen.”

Question for reflection: Which specific worry will you trade, right now, for one concrete Kingdom action and a prayer of thanksgiving?