The Jesus Bible Reading PlanSample

ANXIETY AND HAPPINESS

Solomon almost certainly experienced anxiety and worry as he built for himself an incredible kingdom on earth. But by the time Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes, he had realized the futility of worrying. Drawing from his own experience that worry never brings anything positive in life, he advised his readers to be happy and enjoy the life that God had given them. Solomon’s teaching on anxiety is similar to Paul’s teaching in Philippians 4:6, where he exhorted believers to combat anxiety with prayer in order to experience the fullness of the peace of God. This emphasis on contentment rooted in Christ reflects Jesus’ own teachings about the folly of anxiety (Lk 12:22 – 31). Worrying indicates a lack of faith in the God who provides for his creatures. As Jesus pointed out, the birds neither sow nor reap, yet they are fed; the wild flowers do not toil to make clothes, yet “not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these” (Lk 12:27). Through faith, believers can experience freedom from anxiety and true happiness with the life God has given them. They can cast their anxiety on the God who offers “eternal glory in Christ” (1Pe 5:7, 10; cf. Ps 55:22).

Jesus, deliver me from anxiety. Free me from worry. Replace all my fears, even those I am yet unaware of, with your perfect love. Amen.