“Don’t be anxious about anything.” There you have it. Just don’t do it. It’s wrong.  

If only it were so easy. This seems impossible. How do we still those anxious thoughts that loop in our minds in the middle of the night?

Anxiety is an uncomfortable feeling of fear, nervousness, or worry about something that is happening or might happen in the future.  

There is a healthy anxiety that can motivate us to do something, like study for an exam, plan the day, or apply for jobs. And then, there is an unhealthy anxiety that harms us and can affect our relationships with others. Paul is addressing this unhealthy anxiety. 

People around us are anxious. According to recent surveys, 1 in 4 in Canada. We are often anxious! What are we to make of Paul’s exhortation today?

Reflection Questions:

• What is generating your anxiety today?
• What are you feeding on (e.g., social media, mass media, or comments of friends)? How does this input affect your thought life, emotional state and decision making?
• What could you do to feed on God’s perspective?