Jesus advice about Anxiety – Matthew 6:25-34
My Lifelong Battle With Anxiety
One of my biggest struggles growing up was anxiety. I would get anxious over anything and everything — and no, I’m not exaggerating. Whenever something went wrong, whether it was small or big, my mind would immediately jump to the worst‑case scenario.
Even as I got older, I kept clinging to this habit of freaking out and convincing myself that something bad was going to happen. My fear and anxiety were always the worst when I was working. I don’t think I’ve ever had a job where I didn’t worry about something going wrong or fear that I might get fired. I knew it had become a problem when a coworker jokingly pointed out how quickly I could spiral. I was offended, but it was true
How God Interrupted My Routine
I think God is making me confront this issue for good, because today He led me to read Matthew 6 before I started work. I’ve been reading through the book of Matthew in order for my devotion time with God, but our Father made me jump ahead a couple of chapters.
As I was reading, I honestly didn’t understand why He brought me there. Most of the chapter didn’t feel relevant — I don’t struggle with giving in secret, and praying in front of people to look holy sounds like a nightmare.
Then I reached the passage titled “Do Not Be Anxious.”
It’s the final section of Matthew 6, verses 25–34, where Jesus tells us not to worry about what we will eat, drink, or wear, because our Father already knows what we need.
I’m going to be honest — I haven’t read this passage in years. Which is crazy, because if there’s any passage I need tattooed on my mind, it’s this one.
Anxiety is the one issue I’ve never truly surrendered to God. I’ve never consistently prayed, “Father, help me stop being anxious and start trusting You.”
And I should.
Anxiety has been the one thing that has crippled me the most out of any issue I have ever dealt with.
What Jesus Actually Says About Anxiety
God Knows What You Need
The passage is about how we shouldn’t worry about our needs because our Father knows what we need and He will provide. Jesus says that if the birds of the air don’t need to do anything and yet our Father provides for them, why wouldn’t He do that for us?
And mind you — this is the Father who loved the world so much He gave His only Son for us so that we could spend eternity with Him. If He gave up so much for our salvation, why wouldn’t He help us with our daily needs?
Worry Doesn’t Add Anything to Your Life
There is a verse that made me realise how ridiculous worry and anxiety were the first time I read this passage years ago:
“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” — Matthew 6:27
Jesus is not wrong. Worry — or in my case, extreme anxiety — never made my life better in any physical way.
The NKJV puts it this way:
“Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?”
Basically: Did worrying make you taller?
It didn’t for me, in case anyone is wondering.
What it can do is affect our health in very real, very damaging ways.
The Lilies and Solomon
Jesus then goes on to use another example: lilies.
They don’t toil or spin. They aren’t working 9 to 5 to earn money for shelter. Yet the Father takes care of them.
Jesus even says that “Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.”
Which is interesting considering how rich Solomon was.
Then in verse 30, Jesus says:
“…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?”
Sigh… that’s a good point, Jesus.
The Instruction We Often Skip
Jesus concludes the passage by recapping what He said at the beginning:
The things we worry about will be taken care of.
Then He gives us a command that every believer should take seriously:
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
And He ends with this:
“Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.”
What a powerful passage about the reality of worry — and the reality of being anxious.
Summary of Matthew 6:25–34
In simple terms, Jesus is reminding us that worry is pointless because God already knows what we need. He cares for the birds and the lilies — things that don’t work, plan, or stress — and yet He provides for them perfectly. If He does that for creation, how much more will He take care of us, His children?
The whole passage is really an invitation:
stop carrying what God never asked you to carry, and start seeking Him first.
When we do that, everything else falls into place in His timing.
Anxiety Affects Our Health
I recently read an article on Healthline about the physical effects of anxiety. Brace yourself — it’s a lot:
• A sense of doom, which makes it hard to concentrate
• Headaches
• Irritability
• Panic attacks
• Depression
• Extreme fatigue (which can lead to sleep problems)
• Breathing difficulties
• Increased blood pressure
• Muscle aches and pains
• Pounding heart
• Upset stomach
That is far too many symptoms for something believers are not meant to carry alone.
Looking Back at My Own Anxiety
With this passage fresh in my mind, I started looking back on my issue with being anxious. I realised that in the moments I was most stressed, I never gave those feelings or situations to God. Not once.
I never took Apostle Paul’s advice seriously:
Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
I can’t honestly say I’ve done that.
I also never took Peter’s words seriously:
1 Peter 5:6–7 (ESV)
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.”
And this is Peter — one of the twelve disciples who walked with Jesus Himself.
I really had to confront myself over how little I involved the Lord in helping me with my anxiety.
You’re Not Alone in This
I’m sharing my testimony because I know I’m not the only one who struggles with anxiety.
Some of you grew up in environments where fear was normal.
Some of you learned to cope by carrying everything alone.
Some of you go to people before you go to God.
I understand — because I’ve done the same.
So here’s what we’re going to do.
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16 (ESV)
A Simple Daily Practice
Step 1: Pray Before You Leave the House
Every morning before you walk out the door, pray a short prayer asking God to help you resist the trap of anxiety. We’re using Hebrews 4:16 as our foundation.
Morning Prayer
Father, You said in Your Word that I can come boldly to the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. I’m coming to Your throne because I struggle with anxiety — over small things and big things — and I don’t want to live like that anymore. I’m tired of letting fear grip my heart over things that don’t deserve that power. Father, I need Your help. Help me reject anxious thoughts the moment they come. Help me cast them onto You instead of carrying them myself. Amen.
Step 2: Speak Scripture When Anxiety Hits
After you pray, go about your day. And anytime fear or worry tries to take over your mind, speak Scripture over yourself. I’ll have a resource you can download to your phone so you can access these verses quickly.
Conclusion
So now that we’ve walked through Jesus’ teaching on seeking the Kingdom of God instead of worrying, what can we take away from this — especially with the world being so chaotic right now?
I want to leave you with two passages from Scripture:
Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Numbers 23:19
“God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not fulfill it?”
Some of you have held onto worry because you’ve seen how dark and unpredictable the world can be. It’s shaken your faith. Some of you don’t know anything other than anxiety because people have failed you, disappointed you, or abandoned you.
But brothers and sisters in Christ — God is not a man that He should lie.
He has no hidden agenda.
He isn’t trying to trick you into feeling safe so He can pull the rug out from under you.
He isn’t like the people who hurt you.
He is faithful.
He is steady.
He is trustworthy.
So start small.
Try trusting God in the little things.
Build the habit of going to Him first — and reminding yourself why you’re going to Him in the first place.
He’s got you.
🌿 Download Your Free Scripture Cards for Anxiety
If this post spoke to you, I created something to help you carry these truths into your everyday life.
Sometimes all it takes is one verse — right in front of you — to interrupt the spiral and bring your heart back to God.
You can download your free Scripture Cards for Anxiety & Worry below.
I’ve included two versions so you can use whatever works best for you:
• PDF version — perfect for printing, journaling, or keeping in your Bible
• PNG version — easy to save to your phone for quick access when anxiety hits
These verses are the ones I personally go back to again and again.
Let them speak over you the way they’ve spoken over me.
👉 Click on Scripture Card for PNG Version or button for PDF
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