Overcoming Anxiety (Matthew 6:26)

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? —Matthew 6:26

It was with a heavy heart that I sat down for my daily hour of meditation and prayer. “Lord, I need added faith this morning” I prayed. Many anxieties weighed upon me – chief among them being that my son would have to physically attend his main Cambridge exam in the midst of a lockdown, with Covid infections rising.

A few minutes later, I felt an urge to open our balcony door; something I normally don’t do till I finish praying. Little did I realize that such a simple decision, ordained I believe by God, would provide me with a powerful lesson.

Illustration on Anxiety:

Over the next 45 minutes, I saw birds of all sizes, features, and colors, perched on the tree in front of our balcony. They would dart across the branches playfully, chirp out beautiful songs, and enjoy the wonder of just being alive! First there were some parrots, then sparrows, a red-vented bulbul, and I even saw the picturesque blue of a kingfisher. They seemed so happy and free, unlike me – weighed down with anxiety. “I sing because I’m free,” – I remembered the lyrics of the beautiful hymn, “His Eye is on the Sparrow”.

Watching the playful antics of the birds, my thoughts drifted to the words of Jesus. “Surely, if my heavenly Father could look after these birds,” I thought, “how much more would he take care of us, his children”. The peace of God flooded through me as all the anxiety suddenly seemed to evaporate. I knew all of us, including my son, were in safe hands!

Prayer for Anxiety:

Lord, in the midst of my anxiety, may I trust the many promises you have given and be strengthened.

For another practical truth on overcoming anxiety click here.

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