Friends, our Lord Jesus is so kind. Have you ever noticed that woven into the word, He gives the prescription for whatever ails us? This is just another one of the reasons I love Him. He is constantly looking out for us because He loves us.
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Take, for example, Matthew 6:25-34. Did you notice Jesus is addressing anxiety? He gives us the prescription for the anxious heart and mind.
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I am sure you noticed it; however, I never saw the emphasis before until recently. It’s interesting how when we slow down and savor the Scriptures, gems are woven in as we dig a little deeper. I noticed how many times the word” appears in the passage.”
It is exactly five times, and this is intentional because the number five represents grace. Nothing is insignificant.
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Jesus knows the human condition and our propensity to be focused horizontally and to grasp for temporal things instead of enjoying what is provided as a gift and is best. He also knows we don't always understand that the greater contains the lesser, so He addresses this.
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“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?” Matthew 6:25.
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Jesus establishes a familial relationship using the term Father in v26 and demonstrates the goodness of God seen in creation amid a fallen and broken world. He intentionally points out how the Kingdom of God works—namely, reliance on Him. We must learn and decide to be good recipients because the Kingdom of God is founded in grace—unearned, unmerited favor👇🏾.
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God is the giver of all good and perfect gifts, and He does this because He is good. That monumental truth always brings my heart such rest and comfort. We can’t earn God’s love and approval because we already have it. And we must be so grounded in this truth because it is the basis by which we have confidence.
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“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”Matthew 6:26.
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In v26, Jesus asks us to assess our value not based on us but on God. He asks us what we believe about ourselves based on Who God is, which points to the truth that we must know the Creator—not only as Creator but also as Father—to properly understand our value.
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Next, Jesus talks about time and life, two things humanity desperately desires to control. And He reminds us we have no control over them. Why? Remember this point at the end when we get to the overarching revelation.
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“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”Matthew 6:27. (Boldface mine)
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We are utterly powerless to change anything. Anything lasting, at its core, is rooted in Him. What most humans do is switch out something for something else. We like to call it change, but it isn't—we have shifted the focus.
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Change at its core—a heart thing. It requires a spiritual renewal embedded in who we are and what we believe. So, for change not to be laborious and yet lasting, for change not to be legalistic and fanatical yet significant, it is transformation, and only God can do that. Just saying💁🏾♀️.
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The sooner we get this, the better off we will be. It is good to see our weaknesses, for they allow us to see our need for Him. We need the One who controls it all, not aimlessly grasping at things. We need a Savior.
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Take note: Jesus is building in this passage. He is bringing us to a monumental truth: When we gain Him, we gain everything! Therefore, loosely hold things in this life and let go of the frivolous toil.
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“Hold everything in your hands lightly, otherwise it hurts when God pries your fingers open.” -Corrie Ten Boom
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“And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, 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.” Matthew 6:28-29. (Boldface mine)
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I so love this passage of Scripture. v28-29 reveals the mysterious inside work that comes from being a child of God. Ponder the flower. It doesn't sweat, and it doesn't work… it is because God said it is so! It's a wonder, and it is marvelous. The beauty we take in from the outside, its color, splendor, and fragrance all come from nutrients it receives from the root system beneath. And we are no different as we abide in the Vine. The result is His fragrance, His Person being revealed in and through us. We bear the very fruit of God by resting in God alone. Are you experiencing His rhythm? It's grace.
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“But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” Matthew 6:30. (Boldface mine)
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v30: Jesus again refers to the kindness, generosity, and faithfulness of God, reminding us that God is running things. In a broken world filled with hurting people—Jesus is the way to walk in redemption. God’s fingerprint is the light of glory and the hope of eternity amid the darkness. He cares for the things we don't even notice; if we were simply still and saw He is God, He is all around us declaring, testifying of Himself. Jesus invites us to abandon self and toil to rest in Abba’s provision: His Son.
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“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’” Matthew 6:31. (Boldface mine)
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v31: Jesus now does something a little different here, and I don't want us to miss it because he shifts from what we think to what we say. It’s important that we allow these things to enter our eye and ear gates because they can easily enter our minds, and we can begin to speak them.
Anxiety is like an ember that can quickly become a flame when mixed with oxygen. Breath is hot. May we be intentional about who we give authority to.
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“For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.” Matthew 6:32. (Boldface mine)
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v32 Here is a reminder that we are no longer strangers without a covenant but in the family of God. Covenant speaks to intimacy.
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And now, we arrive at the end of our physical and are given the prescription for an anxious mind in v33. It is as if the LORD is placing this on His Physician’s Script and looking lovingly at us, reminding us, “Don’t forget to fill this before you leave the office.”
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“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33. (Boldface mine).
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Everything in the Kingdom of God is received by faith through grace—it is a gift! There is no other way. Jesus is the Way we receive everything because He is everything! Let's allow that to simmer.
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And just in case we missed it, Jesus reminds us here, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:34. (Boldface mine)
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Stay present because Jesus is I AM. He is with us right here, right now, and this (the present) is where grace flows and the oil never runs out. Live in His love.
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Jesus is making an astounding statement in this entire passage of Scripture. Humanity often chooses the created over the Creator, the temporary over eternity. But we are given the most auspicious opportunity to know Him when we stop toiling and enjoy the finished work. We will see every enemy brought low when, in everything we see, Jesus is enough!
Blessings𖧷Andrea𖧷
𖧷Journal Prompts𖧷 Prescription For Anxiety.
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Reflect on the Kindness of God:
Read Matthew 6:25-34. How do you see God's kindness and care for His creation in these verses? Write about a time when you felt God's kindness in your life.
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Assessing Your Value:
In Matthew 6:26, Jesus asks us to consider our value from God's perspective. How does knowing God as both Creator and Father shape your understanding of your own worth? Write about how this perspective can influence your daily life and decisions.
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Letting Go of Control:
Jesus points out that we cannot add a single hour to our lives through anxiety (Matthew 6:27). What are some areas of your life where you feel the need to control outcomes? How can you surrender these areas to God's care and trust His timing?
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Transformation:
Consider the difference between true transformation through God's work in our hearts and merely shifting our focus from one thing to another. How have you experienced God's transforming power in your life? Write about a specific instance where you saw lasting change through God's intervention.
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The Root System of Faith:
Jesus uses the analogy of lilies being clothed by God to illustrate His provision (Matthew 6:28-30). How do you nurture your relationship with God to stay rooted in His provision and love? Reflect on what it means to abide in Christ and draw from His strength daily.
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Resting in God's Provision:
Reflect on Matthew 6:31-32. In what ways do you find yourself worrying about your needs, such as food, clothing, or other provisions? How does the truth of God's faithfulness and generosity encourage you to rest in His provision?
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Seeking First the Kingdom of God:
What does it look like in your life to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33)? Identify practical steps you can take to prioritize God's Kingdom in your daily routine.
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The Weight of Tomorrow:
Jesus instructs us not to be anxious about tomorrow (Matthew 6:34). What are some worries or concerns you have about the future? How can you practice focusing on the present and trusting God with your tomorrows?
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Choosing the Eternal Over the Temporary:
Jesus highlights the human tendency to choose the created over the Creator. How can you shift your focus from temporary, material concerns to eternal values? Write about ways you can embrace the finished work of Christ in your daily walk.
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A Prescription for Peace:
Reflect on the entire passage of Matthew 6:25-34. Write your own "prescription for anxiety" based on what Jesus teaches in these verses. How can you apply this prescription to find peace in your current circumstances?
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