“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” – Matthew 6:27, NIV

Just over four years ago, I experienced an unprecedented period of severe anxiety.

For the first time ever, my body weight dropped by more than 15 kgs.

Later, a counselor described my condition as ‘Social Anxiety Disorder’ – a debilitating episode of anxiety about being judged or embarrassed.

Part of my healing was having an in-depth study of the ‘Sermon on the Mount’ and prolonged meditation on the Psalms of David.

Globally, research shows that social anxiety disorder is the third most-common mental disorder, after substance use disorder and depression.

Indeed, it was interesting for me to discover that the Greek word translated ‘worrying’ in our meditation verse today relates ‘to draw in different directions, or to distract.’

That’s what worrying does to us – it draws our heart and mind in different directions.

Temporary anxiety is a natural response that can be helpful as it can heighten your vigilance and help you prepare for a challenge such as an important job interview, an examination or a presentation.

However, when anxiety/worry becomes excessive and persistent, and starts to interfere with your daily life, it has degenerated into stress – or an anxiety disorder. 

This is what our Lord is warning us about.

This type of worrying, characterized by fear, may last for months or years, and can significantly impact a person’s ability to function normally or concentrate at work, studies, or relationships.

Different people experience different stressors, mostly money and finances, followed by health concerns, personal relationships, global issues, and personal perceptions by others.

When a believer’s life is centered on heavenly values such as gratitude, generosity and serving others, he/she tends to worry less about earthly matters.

However, as many of us have come to learn through experience, stress/worrying adds no value to one’ life; on the contrary, it just distracts us (from what is really important) and ‘draws our thoughts in different directions.’

The Bible offers a few principles for defeating worry.

First, in His sermon on the Mount, our Lord admonishes us to trust in God, basing on our Father’s character as a Provider who cares about His creation.

He points to the birds of the air, which are fed by God, and the lilies of the field, which are clothed in glory, and says, “Are you not of more value than they?”

Secondly, prayer and supplication are extremely important in times of stress.

In Philippians 4:6-7, the Bible admonishes; “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Thirdly, there is the aspect of thanksgiving.

Did you know that thanksgiving is one of the most effective stress-bursters?

Embracing a grateful attitude makes you realise that you actually have many testimonies, and that there are many people out there who are in a much worse situation than yours.

Mark you; the Scripture doesn’t say that the result of our prayer, supplication and thanksgiving would be that our requests would be granted.

On the contrary, it says the result would be the “peace of God guarding our hearts and minds.”

Finally, Jesus concludes by saying, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Whenever you feel anxious or stressed, it’s an indicator that you’re being drawn in ‘different directions.’

It’s time to reorder your priorities.

When a believer’s life is centered on heavenly values such as gratitude, generosity and serving others, he/she tends to worry less about earthly matters.

By making God’s will and purpose the believer’s primary focus of life, other concerns naturally fall into their proper place.

What’s Jesus telling you about the stress you’re currently experiencing?