Do Not Be Anxious

For many years, on the first day of school I would read a passage of Scripture that began with the words, “Do not be anxious.” This message is found in two of the gospels (Matthew 6:25-34 and Luke 12:22-28).
Luke tells us that Jesus was speaking to His disciples when He said, “Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.” (Luke 12:22)
He goes on to give two examples that I have always loved: the birds and the flowers— specifically, depending on the translation, ravens and lilies. Consider them both, Jesus said.
“Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them.” (Luke 12:24)
“Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” (Luke 12:27)
What elegant examples— what beautiful parts of God’s creation— Jesus refers to here. Though we are often too busy to notice them (unless grumbling about what birds have left behind on our car windows), birds flourish all around us. So do flowers— they bring beauty without toil.
Too often, I toil because I’m worried about filling my storehouse. I always read that passage on the first day of school because I recognized my own anxiety. I always stressed about school and devoted so much time to it because I wanted to be the best— because school has always been an idol for me. I don’t think striving for excellence in school is a bad thing in itself, but the levels of stress that I felt were evidence that I was “of little faith” (Luke 12:28) and not trusting God to provide.
Another thing I love about this passage is its dual purpose. It is, without a doubt, a command. When Jesus said something to His disciples in declarative form, it was a command to them— and, by extension, to us.
But it’s also a comfort. It’s a command for our comfort and for our own good. It’s a command to remember that God is faithful and keeps His promises to us.
It’s a command that we shouldn’t worry about tomorrow, because God is sovereign over all the tomorrows -- and the ravens and the lilies.
By Bailey Vandiver
Bailey graduated from UK in May 2020 and is now a writer and editor in Lexington.
Luke tells us that Jesus was speaking to His disciples when He said, “Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.” (Luke 12:22)
He goes on to give two examples that I have always loved: the birds and the flowers— specifically, depending on the translation, ravens and lilies. Consider them both, Jesus said.
“Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them.” (Luke 12:24)
“Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” (Luke 12:27)
What elegant examples— what beautiful parts of God’s creation— Jesus refers to here. Though we are often too busy to notice them (unless grumbling about what birds have left behind on our car windows), birds flourish all around us. So do flowers— they bring beauty without toil.
Too often, I toil because I’m worried about filling my storehouse. I always read that passage on the first day of school because I recognized my own anxiety. I always stressed about school and devoted so much time to it because I wanted to be the best— because school has always been an idol for me. I don’t think striving for excellence in school is a bad thing in itself, but the levels of stress that I felt were evidence that I was “of little faith” (Luke 12:28) and not trusting God to provide.
Another thing I love about this passage is its dual purpose. It is, without a doubt, a command. When Jesus said something to His disciples in declarative form, it was a command to them— and, by extension, to us.
But it’s also a comfort. It’s a command for our comfort and for our own good. It’s a command to remember that God is faithful and keeps His promises to us.
It’s a command that we shouldn’t worry about tomorrow, because God is sovereign over all the tomorrows -- and the ravens and the lilies.
By Bailey Vandiver
Bailey graduated from UK in May 2020 and is now a writer and editor in Lexington.
Recent
Archive
2021
January
New BeginningsBe a LightPraying for the Gospel to AdvancePraying for Church LeadershipPraying for RestorationPraying for the Persecuted ChurchPraying for Our NationBridging the GapJesus UnderstandsYour Spiritual TankMade to WorshipProtection and WisdomDeliver Us From TemptationWholly Following the LordDistinguishing Characteristics of a True Disciple of ChristLoving Others as God Loves UsOvercoming Resistance to the GospelHow to Love Your EnemiesWinning Influence with Reciprocating LoveF-O-C-U-SA Job Rejection
2020
March
I Am The Good Shepherd Shepherd LeadershipI Am the Good Shepherd that Keeps the GateShepherding the TeamI Am The Good Shepherd: A Note from a Thankful SheepTime OutFour DaysUp from the GraveResurrection LifeThe Shadow of DeathMore Than an Empty TombLet\'s Not Get DistractedThis Is No Time to Be TroubledJesus Christ Is The Way
April
Jesus Christ Is The TruthJesus Christ Is The LifeAn Inconvenient TruthPalm SundayI Am The VineJust Do ItI Am The DoorCuttingsThe StruggleGood FridayThe DoorAbundant GraceAbundant SalvationAbundant SecurityAbundant LifeThe Thank You NoteBreakthrough PrayerLetter to the ChurchA Time for Great ThingsPrayer for a BreakthroughThe Day of ChristAs Far As the Eye Can SeeLoosen the ChainsNothing to FearOn the Same SideWhat Are You Living For?
May
Stand Firm in One SpiritOur God of CertaintyWhy Desire Humility?The Joy of HumilityHumility in ActionThe Ultimate Example of HumilityThe Glory of HumilityThe Faith of a Mom and a GrandmotherKeep OnCelebrate Your DecisionLet Your Light ShineHow Are You Being Poured Out?Be an EncouragementManna from HeavenSafeguarding Your HeartThe Proper Way to BoastHaving Nothing to Offer GodChrist Is All I Want and NeedOn Knowing ChristNo Greater LoveBiblical ObedienceBiblical MaturityBack to ShoreEnemies of the CrossA Bridge to HeavenIt's About Time
June
A New Way of ThinkingThe Lord Is at HandWait to WorryReal PeaceRight ThinkingSuch a Time as ThisA Lesson from Homer SimpsonHesitationThe Power RangerPep TalkSea Billows RollDo You See Them as Gifts?The God QuestionA Hopeless JourneyThe Hope of GraceDon't Miss the PartyThe Joyful GodWho's Listening AnywayThe InheritanceWhat Do You See?Give Me, Give Me, Give MeTearful PrayersFaithfulnessGo and DoIt Seems GoodTrust the Creator
July
Welcome His PeaceLet Us SingGod Is AbleOur Dependence on GodJealousyWhat Dreams Are Made OfServant LeaderChoosing ForgivenessCourage To Be TransformedHeaven and Earth ReuniteHope ReachesA Hope EternalA Hope InheritedHope RebuildsHope UnseenThe Promise of HopeOur Hope Comes From The LordThe Lord Takes Care of His PeopleFree from HarmThe Protective Hand of God\'s Loving CareThe Security of God\'s Watchful LoveThe Traveling TabernacleCommunityCommunityThe FloodThe Cool KidOpposites Attract
August
Open Our EyesThe Call to DiscipleshipA Strategy to Change the WorldImitators of ChristGrowth in Uncertain TimesA Legacy of DiscipleshipHard QuestionsQuestionsThe Answer, Part OneThe Answer, Part TwoThe Answer, Part ThreeThe Answer, Part FourUsing What God Has Given UsBest Laid PlansLive Without LimitsWhat Do You Want To Do?Unlimited SupplyJust A ... ?Who Is Jesus To You?Why Do the Wicked Prosper?Living By ConvictionThere's No Price Too HighAn Epoch BattleConfusion: A Sign of Trouble AheadDay and NightBuilding Brave
September
The Faith GapWhen Bravery CallsFor Such A Time As ThisBravery In The SilenceOpen Our EyesThe Cheese Stands AloneDreamThe StandoffStrengthFather Knows BestAmbassador for ChristPapa BearBest Seat In The HouseWaiting On The LordThe Last Chapterin God\'s Tender CareDo Not Be AnxiousFinish The PlayA New DecreeThat All Might KnowThe Formula For BraveryHow Will You Respond?Stepping Out In FaithHappily Ever After?P.S.Superlatives
October
The Final Curtain CallBraveLet Your Light ShineThe God Who SeeksI Once Was Blind But Now I SeeSalvation for the Chief of SinnersA Picture of RepentanceJesus Is The Son of GodThe Red BinGoAllInAlwaysJesusOur Identity In ChristThe Christian Duty to ForgiveJesus Paid Our Sin Debt In FullThe Power of Forgiveness ExperiencedThe Consequences of UnforgivenessThe Freedom of ForgivenessDo Not Be Conformed to the WorldBetter Than I DeserveGrace Considers Us WorthyGrace Seeks OutGrace ExtendedUnconditional GraceNovember 3, 2020 | HopeGod Is ConsistentNovember 2, 2020 | Never Alone
November
November 4, 2020 | Stand the HeatNosy NeighborsUnintended ConsequencesCultivating a Biblical View of Sorrow in the Midst of a Global PandemicIt's About MoneyBeing ShrewdAre You Rich?PrioritiesThe Big IdeaThe Bigger PictureDifficult SilenceDifficult AnswersReverent HonestyHumble WaitingFrowning ProvidenceLove One AnotherGod's Love Is...Write It DownTalk It OutPandemic FatiqueHappy Thanksgiving!Stuff-MartSilenceFocusing On The EternalKnowledge of God is a Prerequisite of Faith
December
Praising God by Remembering His FaithfulnessThe Relationship Between Fear and FaithThe Transformation of Affirming FaithThe Freedom of HumilityFaith In The StormThe Adventure of AdventA Sure FoundationA Long SilenceA Divine MessengerA Doubting ResponseGod RemembersChristmas Is Still Worth CelebratingNothing New Under The SunNazareth?Highly Favored OneNow THAT'S An Understatement!He KNOWS You!Mary's SongReading Like An Ancient HebrewGo Tell It On The MountainWonder In The FamiliarOur High PriestThe Horn of SalvationTo My Grandmothers, With LoveMerry Christmas!Hope In JesusThree DaysNow I Can Die in PeaceWait, What?Rejection