The Cure for Anxiety

²⁵ “Therefore I tell you:^(A) Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing?^{(B) 26} Consider the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they?^{(C) 27} Can any of you add one moment to his life span^[a] by worrying? ²⁸ And why do you worry about clothes? Observe how the wildflowers of the field grow: They don’t labor or spin thread. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these. ³⁰ If that’s how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won’t he do much more for you—you of little faith?^{(D) 31} So don’t worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ ³² For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first the kingdom of God^[b](E) and his righteousness,^(F) and all these things will be provided for you.^{(G) 34} Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble^(H) of its own.

⁶ Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses^(A) all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.^(B)

⁸ Finally^[a] brothers and sisters, whatever is true,^(C) whatever is honorable,^(D) whatever is just,^(E) whatever is pure,^(F) whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence^(G) and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things. ⁹ Do what you have learned and received^(H) and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Appreciation of Support

¹⁰ I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again^(I) you renewed your care for me.^(J) You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. ¹¹ I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. ¹² I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot.^(K) In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. ¹³ I am able to do all things through him^[b] who strengthens me.^(L)