Have you ever spiraled down the rabbit hole of what-ifs?
What if I lose my job? What if this pain never goes away? What if I lose my partner? What if I can't pay my bills?
If that’s you, just know you’re not alone. In fact, about 31% of adults experience anxiety disorder at some point in their life—not just passing anxious thoughts, but deep, persistent anxiety that affects daily life. That means nearly 1 in 3 people are walking around with heavy minds and weary hearts.Maybe you’ve been there. Maybe you're there right now.
The good news? Jesus knows all about it—and He offers a way through it. Not a quick fix, but a real, lasting peace that starts with reordering our hearts.
Okay, confession time. I didn’t really understand anxiety until I had a full-blown panic attack. It happened a few years ago after an injury from a beach soccer match (a.k.a. “dad thinks he’s still 20” moment). I popped my Achilles, needed surgery, and suddenly found myself laid up, in a cast, and unable to do the simplest things—like go upstairs to bed. I couldn’t sleep, couldn’t move, and my mind was racing. I tried worship music. I tried prayer.
When none of it worked, I spiraled into uncontrollable panic.
I was so desperate that I asked my wife, Audra, if there was somewhere I could get something...legal of course... to calm me down.
Finally, my frenzy increased so much that, in the middle of the night, I crutched my way to the barn, found some tools, and cut the cast off myself. Yep. It was that bad!
Looking back, I realize a lot of the anxiety stemmed from a deep desire to control. Yet, external control is something Jesus never asked us to pursue. Rather than trying to force a change in circumstances, He tells us to be self-controlled by showing us how to handle our anxious thoughts.
Let’s take a walk through Matthew 6. Jesus hits anxiety head-on:
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?”
—Matthew 6:25, ESV
He continues by giving a visual example:
“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”
—v.26
Jesus isn’t brushing off anxiety—He’s giving us a better order. He knows we’ll be distracted by needs, worries, appearances, family dynamics, pressure to perform, and the ever-present “Am I doing enough?” cloud.
But then He drops the mic:
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
—Matthew 6:33, ESV
Boom. There it is. Seek first. Not last. Not when everything else falls apart. First.
So what does “Seek First” actually mean? How is it done?
Let’s look at some practical, simple steps:
Give God your first attention, not your leftovers. Ditch the doom scroll. You know what I mean—waking up, grabbing your phone, checking notifications, emails, news, TikTok, weather; and before you know it, your soul is already overloaded.
Instead, try this One simple prayer: “Jesus, I trust You today. Lead me.” Breathe in and out, meditatively saying the prayer and allowing Him to calm your spirit.
Continue by prayerfully reading a Psalm or listening to worship music.
Jesus wants to give you His peace.
What can I do right now that reflects God’s kingdom?
Who can I encourage?
Who needs prayer?
Can I extend grace instead of judgment?
Can I text that friend who’s been struggling?
These questions shift your focus from control to compassion. From anxiety to action. From self to Jesus.
Make two lists: Things I can control vs. Things I can’t control
Guess what? You can’t control your spouse. (Go ahead, take a breath on that one.) You can’t control other people’s opinions, the economy, your kids’ choices, or the timing of God’s answers. But you can control your response. You can trust God.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
—Philippians 4:6, ESV
It doesn’t mean the tension magically disappears. But it does mean that God’s peace, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and mind (v.7).
Let’s be honest—family dynamics can be… a lot. So can school drama, friend groups, marriage tension, and unmet expectations. But instead of trying to control it all, what if we surrendered those relationships to God?
Try this praying with thanksgiving for the person who’s driving you crazy. (Yes. Even your spouse. Yes, even your teenager.)
Why? Because they’re made in God’s image. And when we entrust them to God, we invite Him to work in ways we never could.
Anxiety will always try to take the front seat. But Jesus is inviting us to reorder our lives around His way; and when we do, we regain peace.
Not control and security.
But surrender and trust.
Not manifest your destiny.
But seek first the King and His kingdom.
Not fix it all yourself.
But rest in the One who holds it all.
So, next time you see a bird—just pause. Let it be a reminder that your Heavenly Father sees you. And if He takes care of the sparrows, He’s absolutely got you.
Peace isn’t found in perfect circumstances; it’s found in seeking the King.
“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” -Matthew 6:33, ESV
Let’s be a people marked not by anxiety, but by peace, joy, and trust—evidence that the kingdom of God is alive in us.
And hey, if you see me trying to play beach soccer again… stop me.
While seeking God first brings peace and perspective, seeking support from medical professionals or licensed therapists can also be helpful. If you’re struggling with persistent anxiety or feel overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to reach out. While God can work through any doctor or counselor, if given the choice, it is best to choose a Christian mental health practitioner. And, remember that you’re not alone.