More often than not, there are times when anxiety feels like my closest friend. It greets me in the morning, my heart rate rising with the sun. It follows me to the mirror, to the breakfast table, to the car, to work. It is the shadow I can’t get rid of, an endless churning of guilt and shame and fear in my heart and mind. It’s a disease, a chemical imbalance, a generational struggle.
This particular passage in Luke features a lot of anxiety, from the revelation that nothing hidden won’t eventually be known, to the fear of death, to the “unforgivable sin,” to Jesus’s famous command not to worry because we are worth more than the wildflowers and the sparrows.
I tend to read Luke 12 as if it’s all about me: what I worry about, what I value, what I should or shouldn’t do. Don’t be like the Pharisees; fear God. Don’t be afraid; acknowledge Jesus as the Christ and don’t deny Him. Don’t blaspheme the Spirit (which is considered the “unforgivable sin,” the denial of Jesus’s work to the point that one considers it to be demonic). Don’t store up treasure for myself. Don’t worry about clothes or food—and on and on.
While I do think Jesus is teaching us a lot about ourselves, our worldly impulses, and the things we worry about, He is also revealing much about God, His character, and His work. There are three specific truths I want to rest in today: first, the sovereignty and care of the Father; second, the advocacy of the Son; and finally, the provision of the Holy Spirit.
The Father: In Luke 12:6–7, we see a clear picture of the limitless power and the all-surpassing knowledge that God possesses. Everything hidden will be revealed. This would be terrifying if it weren’t for the next part. Even though everything awful we’ve ever done will made public, our belief in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus makes us clean before God.
The Son: In verse 8, Jesus tells us that if we acknowledge Him, He will acknowledge us in the presence of God the Father (“before the angels of God” is a reference to God’s presence). He is our advocate in prayer before God, but He is also our advocate for salvation before God, the righteous Judge.
The Holy Spirit: Verse 12 teaches that the Holy Spirit is our provider, who will give us the words we need to acknowledge Christ when we are persecuted. Jesus promises His followers that the Spirit will give them what they need to continue in faith.
In a passage known for its treatment of anxiety, Luke assures us that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit are working together in perfect unity, to care for us in perfect knowledge, perfect advocacy, and perfect provision.
I may battle my anxiety until the day I walk into glory, but the death of my anxiety is assured because of the life of Jesus. The more the book of Luke reveals to me about the beauty of the Son, the closer I feel to the heart of the Father.
Melanie Rainer is a bookworm from birth who makes her days writing, editing and reading in Nashville, where she also joyfully serves as the editor of Kids Read Truth. She has an M.A. in Theological Studies from Covenant Seminary, spends as much time as she can in the kitchen, and can’t wait until her two daughters are old enough to read Anne of Green Gables.
I think there is a typo. The author of the post wrote: “The Father: In Luke 12:6–7, we see a clear picture of the limitless power and the all-surpassing knowledge that God possesses. Everything hidden will be revealed. This would be terrifying if it weren’t for the next part. Even though everything awful we’ve ever done will made public, our belief in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus makes us clean before God.”
However, Luke 12:6-7 isn’t about everything hidden will be revealed. That’s in verses 2 and 3 of chapter 12.
Thank you, Melanie, for reminding us of these truths. Thanking God for his unending love and care for us.
This is beautiful. We live in a culture that makes everything about Me. And while anxiety and worry are a very personal issue, realizing that the solution is not about me at all is very reassuring.
I’m new on this study and from Asia. I feel so anxious recently as I’ve committed a big sin and really unworthy to be called a Christian. I’m still trying to come to terms with my abortion but pray for me and with me, sisters in Christ.
I have been so anxious about my future, how me and my S/O (who is yet a believer) are gonna work out our future, anxious over fertility issues after the abortion and anxious about my own walk with God.
I’m definitely not where I need to be in my walk with Christ. Please pray for me!
Praying for you Felicia! We are all unworthy, but that’s what makes His love for us so amazing. Nothing you do can ever separate you from that love. Push back against those thoughts, because the enemy is going to try his best to make you feel anxious and guilty. There’s a plan for you and your S/O and it will play out just as it should.
Hi Felicia,
How brave of you to share so honestly with us. I have just prayed for you and your partner. Keep reading God’s Word and keep praying to Him. I feel unworthy of God’s love too (a lot of people do). And when we read the Bible, there’s many accounts of people feeling the same as you. King David was overcome with jealousy and greed for Bathsheba that he murdered her husband so that he could have her for himself. That’s a despicable act, but reading through the Psalms (most of them written by David) we get an honest and vulnerable insight into David’s thoughts, emotions and what he wrestled with. And one big thing that encourages me is that David keeps reaching out to God, when he’s scared, when he feels unworthy, he keeps reaching out. And God is there for him. He is a refuge, a fortress, a place of rest for David. And for us too. God uses David’s words as encouragement for so many people thousands of years later. And Jesus is even descended from Him. Life is scary, and it’s hard. But God is near, and He cares for you (and your partner too :)
When I’m anxious I find Philippians 4:4-9 so helpful and comforting. And hold tight to the truth of 1 Peter 5:7 “cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.”
Felicia, you are so brave and so so loved by your Father! You are going through hard things, and my heart goes out to you. Know that the Gospel is true for you just as much today as any other day. You are loved, because God just loves you. You are worthy, not because of yourself but because Jesus calls you worthy. I agree with those who have already replied- there is hope, rest, refuge and healing found by pressing in to Christ. You are not alone, friend. May the Spirit truly be a comforter and friend for your heart today.
Love this
This is my first day as a reader on this site and I am so excited to have a tool like this to guide my readings in The Word.
Todays topic around anxiety was perfect for me. My anxiety at times can cause fear which can often lead to me possibly missing out something spectacular the Lord has in store for me because I often avoid circumstances that lead to feelings of anxiety. Great example.. finding a church family. Meeting new people causeds me to be so ridden with anxiety that I dread any circumstances that may involve me meeting a lot if new people at once. Yet, I yearn for a church family and I know God wants that for me too. I am so THANKFUL I can communicate with God about this, and I am also so grateful when I am speechless because of the fear the Lord knows my heart and thoughts without a word being spoken. It’s this knowledge that helps me know I will overcome this. Have a blessed day!
To Shelbyrae and Alexandra, I’m right there in that stage of life with you both, with uncertainty as I just finished college and anxiety that’s makes me doubt what’s next and makes me afraid that my anxiety will get in the way of the things I want to do in my life. But God, even through all my doubts and fears has shown me that his plans prevail and that he is making a way for me. He provided a job that is absolutely perfect for me and never in my wildest dreams could I have planned for the circumstances surrounding my new job. That’s why he’s God and I am not! He sees the bigger picture and he is working in ways that I don’t understand. I pray for peace for you as you move on to the next stage in your life. It’s scary, I know. But God is bigger than all our fears and doubts and worries. I questioned that but I have seen his presence in my life, refuting those lies. I pray that he would show you his faithfulness and while you wait, that it would strengthen your faith in him.
This passage brought tears to my eyes! I am a teacher who has definitely had her share of anxiety in the past few years. To the point where I have wanted to give up and quit and move on to a job that is less difficult. But I have prayed and prayed for God to reveal to me what I should do. When I was home with family for Thanksgiving break, I thought “This is it, I really can’t teach after this year. I’m done”. And God went on to hit me hard with some full blown, can’t breathe anxiety throughout my first day back after break. Not anxiety over teaching, but anxiety over LEAVING teaching, and leaving my students, who I do love so much. Since then, he has provided SO MUCH to reveal to me why he wants me teaching. He is GOOD and He provides.