Both Jesus and research help us see why we do well to resist anxiety
By Dean Collins
Just because some of the teachings of Jesus read like poetry does not change their truth. Luke 12:22-34 sounds a lot like portions of the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew’s Gospel. In each section of Scripture, Jesus tells us not to be anxious about what we might call the basics such as having food or clothing.
Jesus explained that if God provides for the ravens, he certainly will provide for us who bear his very image: “Of how much more value are you than the birds!” Some days we probably need to remind ourselves of God’s love and concern for our problems by repeating this very line to ourselves.
Add an hour?
Jesus then asks us to consider this question: “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” Recently another college president and I were discussing the pressures and stresses of our jobs. Both of us have training and expertise in counseling and mental health issues. While I hung up my clinical work years ago, my friend Paul continues to speak and teach in the field.
Our conversation turned to our shared concerns about the impact of our prolonged stress. Paul raised the question of how many years of our retirement life we might be losing. Some of this talk was just two tired men bearing each other’s burdens. Each of us daily feels the load of leading Christian universities in the current culture and with the enrollment challenges caused by a dwindling population of high school graduates. As I recalled this conversation, I considered Jesus’ question again: “Which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” The truth is, we can’t.
Going faster?
In 2021, Yale University psychiatry professors published a study confirming that stress actually makes life’s clock tick faster! Chronic stress is not good for anyone. But the researchers also found something very interesting. There are two things that actually minimized the adverse effects of stress: strengthening emotion regulation and learning to practice self-control. Research subjects who possessed these two characteristics demonstrated less impact from the stresses of their lives.
In Proverbs 9:11-12 Solomon might be hinting at the same truth the Yale researchers discovered. Solomon said, “Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit.” We often think about wisdom benefitting others, but according to Solomon gaining wisdom is good not just for others but for us as well.
Pray for wisdom!
While Solomon wasn’t commenting on stress and anxiety, I am pretty sure that when we pray for wisdom and then practice wisdom we will naturally begin to live more balanced lives. As the Holy Spirit gives us wisdom, we will surely see more of the Spirit’s fruit exhibited in our lives. Certainly, God’s wisdom will bring to our lives more love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
The Yale research team found emotion regulation and self-control as the two contributing factors to reducing the negative impact of stress. If we are practicing the fruit of the Spirit, we will demonstrate less anger, have more peace, and experience more self-control, which will keep us from turning to the variety of negative self-medications we often default to under stress.
Surrender anxiety
Jesus came to complete his Father’s plan. His death and resurrection brought payment for our sins and established his reign in God’s kingdom. The gifts of God’s wisdom and of his Spirit dwelling in us allow us to be resilient during the time we are given on earth. In this same section of Luke 12, Jesus tells us this: “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.“ God has given us his kingdom, and as king of the kingdom, he assures us he will provide for our needs. Our worry and anxieties about how he will do that rob us of both peace and joy but also literally days of our lives.
Jesus ended his words on this day with this powerful word: “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” There is no treasure to be found in our worrying. Maybe today will be a bit less stressful as we surrender all of our anxiety into the hands of the one who is big enough to provide for our every need.
Lord, we confess our tendency to try to do the things only you can do. Forgive us of our self-reliance. We confess that we spend far too many hours worrying about both the little and big things of life. Forgive us. We ask for your wisdom to fill us and guide us today. We ask that your Holy Spirit produce the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in our lives. Give us victory today over our doubts and fill us with hope that you will deliver what we need for this day and for every day we have left on the earth. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your time with God’s Word
Luke 12:22-34 ESV; Proverbs 9:11-12 NLT; Galatians 5:22-23 ESV
Photo by Fernando @cferdophotography on Unsplash
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