The Absurdity of Anxiety: Luke 12:22-31

1. Worry misses the point of life
22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Luke 12:22-23 (ESV)

7 Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain.
Mark 4:7 (ESV)

18 And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, 19 but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. Mark 4:18-19 (ESV)

2. Worry is illogical
24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! Luke 12:24 (ESV)

3. Worry is a waste of time
25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Luke 12:25-26 (ESV)

Beloved, worry has several negative consequences. (Rod Matoon)

  1. It destroys your health.

  2. It dominates and consumes your thoughts.

  3. It disrupts your productivity.

  4. It diminishes the way you treat others.

  5. It damages your ability to trust in God.

4. Worry is unbelief
27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! Luke 12:27-28 (ESV)

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)

5. Worry is sub-Christian
29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.
Luke 12:29-30 (ESV)

34 Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34 (ESV)

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,
7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.1 Peter 5:6-7 (ESV)

6. Worry is unnecessary
31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Luke 12:31 (ESV)

32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32 (ESV)