The Sermon on the Mount: How to Handle Anxiety

In the seventeenth of his series on the Sermon on the Mount, we examine what Jesus had to say about worry, and how to deal with it in a healthy way. Click here for the recording of this 7/6/25 Service, and you can fast-forward to 34:30 to get to the start of the sermon.

Our text comes from Matthew Chapter 6.25-34

25 “ For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the sky, that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather crops into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more important than they? 27 And which of you by worrying can add a single day to his life’s span?

28 And why are you worried about clothing? Notice how the lilies of the field grow; they do not labor nor do they spin thread for cloth, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!

31 Do not worry then, saying, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear for clothing?’ 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you. 34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Introduction

• Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions in the United States, affecting millions of adults and children. Approximately 19.1% of adults experience an anxiety disorder in a given year, and an estimated 31.1% will experience one at some point in their lives. Young adults, women, and those with lower socioeconomic status tend to report higher rates of anxiety according to USAFacts. 

• Anxiety disorders can significantly interfere with daily life, impacting job performance, schoolwork, and relationships. 

Common types

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Characterized by excessive worry about everyday events. 

• Panic Disorder (PD): Involves sudden and unexpected panic attacks. 

• Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD): Involves intense fear of social situations where one might be judged. 

• Specific Phobias: Involve intense fear of specific objects or situations, such as heights or spiders. 

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Involves intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors. 

• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Develops after a traumatic event and is closely related to anxiety disorders.

Contributing factors

Genetics:

• A family history of anxiety can increase the risk says the American Psychiatric Association (APA). 

Brain Chemistry:

• Imbalances in certain neurotransmitters may play a role. 

Life Experiences:

• Stressful life events, trauma, and negative childhood experiences can contribute to anxiety says Banyan Mental Health. 

Social and Environmental Factors:

• Social media, sleep habits, and societal stressors can also impact anxiety levels. (Anxiety in America, AI Overview)

• Well, what does Jesus say about all this?

• “for this reason…” Jesus is referencing his prior statement that you cannot serve God and wealth, simultaneously, in equal measure

• The inference here is money drives some anxiety issues

• Don’t be worried (6x) about your life, merimnaō- have anxiety, be concerned, to have the thoughts occupied with, concern oneself

V25- Don’t worry about your life…

• What you will eat/drink

• What you will wear

• Your life psuche- the eternal, immaterial part of you,

• is more important than these things

• We tend to think way too much about the temporal, and not nearly enough about the eternal

• What would you change about your day if you knew today was the last earthly day of your life?

v26

• The birds do nothing to provide for themselves, and yet they are fed

• He asks- are you not more important than them?

• This question, along with the early parts of genesis, imply hierarchy in creation, at the top of which is humankind

v27

• Can worry lengthen your life?

• To the contrary…

• Worry ruins the present, for the sake of something that may well not happen, in the future

• Nor does worry change the past

• It is a negative expenditure of emotion

V28-30

• Why worry about what you will wear?

• Some of this is driven by vanity, some by a lack of trust

• The flowers of the field do not provide for themselves and yet they are beautiful

• If he clothes them, will he not clothe you, oh you of small faith?

• Ultimately, worry is your belief that God cannot do what he says he can, and will

V31-32

• Stop worrying about

  • What you will eat

  • What you will wear

• Gentiles/pagans pursue these things with earnest

• Your heavenly father already knows what you need

V33-34

• Go after

  • His Kingdom, basileia- his agenda and rule over our life

  • His righteousness, dikaiosunē- what is in proper or right relationship to him

• Do that, and all these things (what you need) will be provided for you

• Don’t worry about tomorrow; each day has its own evil and depravity

Applying this to your life:
a how-to for your ought-to

1. Be honest about your emotions

2. Decide what role material possessions will play in your life; keep stuff in check

3. Know your rank and worth in the kingdom

4. Understand that ultimately, worry is a sin; it is willful admission that you don’t believe he can care for your needs

5. When you prioritize His agenda for your life, things tend to fall into place

6. Live in today, and make it count, for the present/future