The Narrow Path (Week 8): Our Anxiety

Anxiety and worry is everywhere in our culture and our society.  It’s important to note that Jesus doesn’t tell us that worry and anxiety are sinful in themselves.  Jesus seems to understand the human condition enough to know that these are not feelings and emotions we can ignore.  Rather, Jesus’ warning seems to center around what we do with our anxiety. What Jesus reveals is that much of the anxiety we feel is connected to what we believe about God. Jesus tries to reassure the disciples, as they prepare to face worry and anxiety, by giving them essential truths about God.   Scripture teaches that God’s generosity extends to everyone: “He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good” (Matthew 5:45). God is a merciful, forgiving parent who pours out love on prodigal and self-righteous sons alike. God delights in providing for his children. Jesus uses a lesser to greater line of reason to help his disciples trust in the care of the Father. If God clothes the grass in the field and the birds in the air, God will most certainly provide for his children. In light of this, Jesus calls his disciples into simple trust. Not trust in our ability to believe, but trust in the character of God.