I understand that this is a stressful time in the world and many people are worried about what is going to happen next. Have you ever noticed that many people today have a natural tendency to look beyond today, and stress about tomorrow? The problem is, we can’t control or do anything about the issues of tomorrow. Jesus knew this when he said in Matthew 6:25 (ESV), “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?”
I’ve read about several studies into anxiety, and one such study included more than 68,000 adults over age 35 from 1994 to 2004. Many studies have shown that an anxiety-prone tendency to always react to frustration, loss, or threat with negative emotions shortens a person’s lifespan.
Life’s issues can have a significant effect on long-term health and well-being, depending on how we deal with them. How you react today can predict your chronic health conditions ten years into the future. Research shows that overreacting, constantly worrying, and living in a state of perpetual anxiety can reduce life expectancy.
If our worry gets out of control, our mind places us into a fight or flight response (our bodies way of preparing us to survive), we can have a fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, and a slower digestion of food. When our body remains in that state of chronic stress, it can cause health conditions like high blood pressure, stomach ulcers, and cardiovascular diseases.
Now, look at the rhetorical question Jesus asks in Matthew 6:27 (ESV), “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”
The obvious answer is we can’t add a single hour to our lives. But we can worry about things to a point of anxiety that it can shorten our lifespan as it creates stress and weakens our immune system.
If we want to obey Jesus, we need to do what His Word tells us to do and follow His command in Matthew 6:31-33 (ESV), “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
This “do not be anxious” is an imperative command and we could read it like this; “Stop being anxious about tomorrow.”
Jesus concludes this paragraph by commanding us all to do this in Matthew 6:34 (ESV), “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Remember to give your worries over to The Lord and allow Him to dissipate your stress into His peace that passes all our understanding.
Blessings,
Pastor Chuck
I’ve read about several studies into anxiety, and one such study included more than 68,000 adults over age 35 from 1994 to 2004. Many studies have shown that an anxiety-prone tendency to always react to frustration, loss, or threat with negative emotions shortens a person’s lifespan.
Life’s issues can have a significant effect on long-term health and well-being, depending on how we deal with them. How you react today can predict your chronic health conditions ten years into the future. Research shows that overreacting, constantly worrying, and living in a state of perpetual anxiety can reduce life expectancy.
If our worry gets out of control, our mind places us into a fight or flight response (our bodies way of preparing us to survive), we can have a fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, and a slower digestion of food. When our body remains in that state of chronic stress, it can cause health conditions like high blood pressure, stomach ulcers, and cardiovascular diseases.
Now, look at the rhetorical question Jesus asks in Matthew 6:27 (ESV), “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”
The obvious answer is we can’t add a single hour to our lives. But we can worry about things to a point of anxiety that it can shorten our lifespan as it creates stress and weakens our immune system.
If we want to obey Jesus, we need to do what His Word tells us to do and follow His command in Matthew 6:31-33 (ESV), “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
This “do not be anxious” is an imperative command and we could read it like this; “Stop being anxious about tomorrow.”
Jesus concludes this paragraph by commanding us all to do this in Matthew 6:34 (ESV), “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Remember to give your worries over to The Lord and allow Him to dissipate your stress into His peace that passes all our understanding.
Blessings,
Pastor Chuck
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