What to ask yourself when you experience anxiety and worry

A former co-worker of mine kept a question taped to the frame of her desktop computer monitor – just above the keyboard – that said: “Is it eternal?” The first time I saw it, I asked her about it. 

She told me that whenever something happened that frustrated her or left her feeling out of control, the question reminded her to ask herself what she already knew to be true. Additionally, she said it worked wonders when she caught herself worrying about something unnecessarily. 

My friend confirmed what I already suspected. She was referring to matters of faith and how focusing on Jesus helped her think about eternal truths, when she would sometimes rather relinquish her attention to temporary circumstances or things that seized her frustration or worry in the moment.

Jesus, in his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5 – 7), had words for his audience in Galilee that can help us today, when we’re tempted to focus on things that are temporary, rather than eternal truths. 

In (Matthew 6:21) Jesus told the crowds, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” He reminded them that things can be destroyed by moths and rust or stolen by thieves. The message for us is that accumulating tangible wealth or possessions won’t bring us permanent satisfaction and they won’t last forever. Instead, Jesus’ teachings remind us to rely on heavenly treasures – like God’s loving promises – and trust God’s provision. God’s gifts are secure and lasting, and no one can take them away. They can also be shared generously. 

In (Matthew 6:25 – 34) Jesus told the crowd not to be anxious or worried about having their basic needs met. He used examples of birds being fed even though they don’t plant or harvest. He referred to lilies of the field being clothed finer than [King] Solomon in all his glory. “But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)

Jesus is telling us to reorient our heart’s compass. When our desires and actions are adapted to Jesus, our attention is directed outwardly, toward others’ concerns, instead of inwardly becoming self-absorbed.

Try asking yourself, “Is it eternal?” 

Prayer for the week: Eternal God, help us to shift our focus from temporary frustrations and worries to Jesus’ lasting truths. Help us to treasure what endures, trusting your provision and reorienting our hearts toward others. Help us to be the hands and feet of Jesus for whatever time you give us in this temporal world.

Written by Linda Goelzer