The prayerful way to deal with anxiety

Do not then be anxious saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For all these the Gentiles seek after, for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these. But seek first the kingdom and your righteousness and all these will be added to you. Do not then be anxious towards tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself, sufficient in the day are its own evils.
(Matthew 6:31-34)

I used to take time off in January. It’s summer – time for the beach, there’s not much happening at work. But then I realised – I live in Queensland. It’s too hot to go to the beach and there’s not much happening at work!

Now I work in January. January is a magical time. The email inbox can stay empty – sometimes for days. Everyone is either off on holidays, or uber relaxed and getting the things done, that they never get to do.

But as each week starts in January. The anxiety levels just creep up a notch.
Until you get to this week – the week after Australia day and everything is off and careening it’s way into the year. Anxiety only increases from here

Anxiety and stress in the workplace is of real concern

Estimates say up to $17.4 billion is lost each year due to workplace anxiety. 1 in 5 Australians experience anxiety. Chances are you work with someone who experiences anxiety that negatively impacts their life.

Often I find myself thinking. “If I wasn’t a Christian – my life would be so much simpler.”
I wouldn’t have to worry about how my life and behaviour reflected on Jesus, I wouldn’t be giving as much away, I could be more selfish

Anxiety can come from earthly worries

But Jesus makes it clear that the choice is between seeking the kingdom and seeking after stuff. When I speak to the parents of my kids football teams they often talk about troubles and fights at work. The problems they’re having with renovations. The worries about security

Worry, anxiety, seeking after stuff – that – says Jesus – is the life of someone who doesn't know God. Instead – if you are following Jesus, do not worry. Not just get over it – ignore it – pretend it doesn’t impact you. Instead of worrying, instead of seeking after the things that worry people who don't know God, seek first the kingdom and his righteousness

Seek first the kingdom

We live in the convergence of the kingdom of Jesus and the kingdom of darkness. King Charles was crowned on 6 May 2023, but if I look in my wallet – all the coins will still have Queen Elizabeth’s face

The new regime will take some time to cross over, the new kingdom of Jesus is being revealed and as God's subjects – we’re to see that his kingdom grows person by person – and in our lives as well.

• Conversation by conversation – every sin put to death
• Our lives demonstrating the new rule of Christ
• Our words declaring the Christ the Lord of All

And the promise of Jesus Is if we seek the kingdom first all these things will be given to you as well. You don’t lose out by seeking the kingdom first. God knows you and loves you and seeks your best, He provides for all your needs

My wife and I earn about as much together as I did when I last worked as an engineer. I still remember my boss back then looking at my salary and openly wondering how an engineer could earn so little. In fact our joint income is roughly on par with what we earned almost 25 years ago. It should be a source of great anxiety for us, but instead our experience is exactly Jesus’ promise.

All these things have been given to us as well.
Our cars are a bit older than most people’s – but they work, our holidays might be a bit less glamourous – but we enjoy them, our bank account always seems to cover what we need.

But we can think about this in terms of our time too

So many people say – I’m too busy for sharing Jesus, I’m certainly too busy for a weekly EPT! My experience is no one has ever fallen behind at work, or got a poor performance review, or in any way lost anything by joining an EPT

What they have discovered is that God has answered prayer, God has opened doors, and they still get their work done

Seek first the kingdom – and all your work will still get done.

If you aren't already in a prayer team, you can join HERE
In the meantime take some time to consider what would happen if you spent time in a prayer team.

• Could it see some colleagues start to meet Jesus?
• Could it see some friends become Christians?
• Could it see team members go deeper in their trust of God?

My prayer is that it absolutely will.