Anxiety is nothing new to humanity, but modern technology has really added lighter fluid to an already-burning fire. 

Every day, countless advertisers compete to tell us about why we should buy their products. We have endless choices on where to live, who to date, and what career to pursue. Our phones constantly ping us with stressful reminders that keep piling up. Our feeds are full of other people who surpass us in attractiveness, likes, and financial success. 

All of these things can be too much to handle!

Even the big tech companies who created the technology recognize the roles their products play in inducing anxiety. The documentary, “The Social Dilemma” does an excellent job at revealing that truth. And Apple even created a built-in feature called “Screen Time” which allows iPhone users to set up time limits on each app. 

While limiting our screen time can definitely help alleviate our anxiety, it also helps to approach it from a spiritual lens. Jesus cares about our anxiety, and in Matthew 6, He offers us some advice on how to overcome it:

• Take it One Day at a Time: In Matthew 6:34, Jesus says, “Don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” It makes a lot of sense to tackle issues in smaller, bite-sized chunks, because thinking about all the unknowns in the entire future is just too overwhelming.
• Live for God: In Matthew 6:33, Jesus says, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and God will give you everything you need.” Living for God alleviates anxiety because it takes much of the decision-making pressure off of ourselves and puts it onto God.
• Trust God to Take Care of You: In Matthew 6:26, Jesus says, “Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to Him than they are?” Again, trusting God to take care of us removes the pressure from our own shoulders and puts it onto God’s. 

Jesus basically tells us, “Instead of worrying about the future, live for God, and trust Him to take care of you.” 

The opposite of anxiety can be thought of as “inner peace,” and Galatians 5:22 teaches that peace is a byproduct of God’s Spirit. So embracing God’s Spirit is like opening up the doors to more inner peace. Conversely, rejecting God’s Spirit is like closing the doors to inner peace.

If you wrestle with anxiety, have you tried trusting God with more of the decision-making power over your life? God, show me how I can live for You. I trust You to take care of me today, and I invite Your Spirit of peace to reign in my life.