Sinful Disease of Anxiety

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June 18 (July 1)

Rom. 2:28-3:18; Mt. 6:31-34, 7:9-11

“Take no care" [Mt. 6:31]. How then can we live? We need to eat, to drink, to wear clothing. Yet the Savior does not say “do nothing", but merely “don’t be anxious" — that is, do not trouble yourself with this anxiety which consumes you day and night, never giving you a moment of peace.

Such anxiety is a sinful disease. It means that a man relies exclusively on himself, having forgotten God and lost hope for the Divine Providence, that he wants to solve every problem by himself, through his own efforts, to get and keep everything needful by his own means. Chained in his heart by his property, such a man hopes to rest upon it like upon a solid foundation. Cupidity has bound him; he has no other thought but gaining more and more. Mammon has replaced God for him.

Therefore, keep working, do your job, but never let this vexing anxiety take you over. Rely on God in all matters, and commit your lot into His hands. Accept everything you gain as a gift from the Lord and have a firm hope that His generosity will continue. Remember that any rich and powerful man in a single minute might lose everything, if God ordains that to happen. All that rot and dust — is it worth your anxiety? Thus, take no care!

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