In his bestselling book The Anxious Generation, author Jonathan Haidt demonstrated that teenagers’ mental health began nosediving in the early 2010s. Screentime, smartphones, and social media led to significant increases in depression and anxiety. Virtual reality, now available around the clock to all ages, has injured a generation’s normal psychological development.
Worry and anxiety are a big deal! Today’s reading begins with the transition “Therefore,” meaning “given that earthly treasures hold no real value” and “given that money should not be your master” (v. 25). Since we now understand these truths, we are told, “do not worry about your life,” not even about basic needs such as food and clothing. Life is more than these.
“Look at the birds of the air,” Jesus continued (v. 26). God takes care of them, so He will take care of you as well. Jesus here argued from the smaller to the greater: Since a small thing is true, a greater thing can be counted on to be true as well. Since He takes care of birds, He will also take care of people, especially since we are of greater value. So why worry? To do so is a lack of faith, a failure to trust.
Worry is useless (v. 27). It accomplishes nothing. It cannot add an hour to our life or an inch to our height. Even setting aside God’s provision, worry is thus simply foolish. Worry didn’t enter our society with smartphones, of course. It’s been around a long time. If we’re tempted to worry instead of trusting the Lord, what can we do? “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6–7).
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