Anxiety Isn’t Worth It by Grace

So many of us struggle with insecurity or anxiety about our outward appearance—it’s hard not to. And yet we wonder, “Why is everyone worried about their outward look, why does everyone care about what others might think, and when will everyone understand they don’t need to worry about this?  

Jesus even asks why we worry about these things: “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”

Charles Spurgeon understood what Jesus meant. He wisely tells us, “Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows but only empties today of its strength.” 

I relate to how people feel because I have also become anxious about my clothing and what others are going to think of me. Why is this? I believe it’s because I want to look like everyone else so I’ll fit in. I want to make a good impression, so people won’t judge me or think differently about me. 

I’m not alone in this, and even though it hasn’t affected me as much as it has others, if you struggle with it too, you’re not alone. Research shows that 35-45% of teenagers ages 13-19 suffer from body image anxiety.  

Like a crowded room, so is the comparison of oneself to another.

You leave yourself little room to grow or wiggle. This seems to be a constant problem in our world today. Everyone is comparing themselves with others and it gives them this uneasy feeling inside.  

Studies show that 89% of people feel unsatisfied after comparing themselves with others, especially online.

This has even affected me. I’ll compare my life with others’ lives and wonder why they have it so easy. Or I’ll look at the way someone is dressed and compare my outfit with theirs, experiencing the negative impact of being anxious about my looks. Throughout the day, I find myself going to the mirror to fix my hair or adjust my outfit in some way, hoping it will make me feel more secure about how I look. 

Then I read Matthew 6:25-34, and verse 27 stands out to me: “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” Jesus asks this question to encourage us not to be anxious because anxiousness doesn’t add any more time to our day; if anything, it takes time away. 

As Corrie ten Boom said, “Worry is like a rocking chair: it keeps you moving but doesn’t get you anywhere.”

This reminds us that worrying is a waste of time.  

Theodore Roosevelt wisely said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” 

I think this is so true because whenever I compare myself with others it just makes me feel down. But in these times, I am encouraged by what God tells us in His word.  

“And why are you anxious about your clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow they neither toil nor spin… But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Do not be anxious saying what shall we eat? Or what shall we drink? Or what shall we wear?” (V 28-30-31 ESV) 

These verses are a reminder that we don’t need to worry or be anxious about what to wear or how we look because God will provide. He reminds us that we have little faith when we become anxious about these things.  

Billy Graham said, “Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday. When we allow worries to dominate us, we’re actually saying that God can’t be trusted to take care of us. But He can be trusted.”  

Even King David went through a time of anxiety, – “My God my God why have you forsaken me?… O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer…”  (Psalm 22:1-2) 

Even in his suffering, David still trusted God, “But you, O LORD, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid.” (Psalm 22:19)  

In the same way, when we face anxiety or struggle with comparison, God Is always there to help us—to remind us of what really matters, and to assure us that we are enough. He created us to be who we are and calls us to Himself, inviting us to have a relationship with Him. 

So, trust in God and have faith.  He is faithful to provide.  

Like the sun shining on a beautiful day, so is knowing God on an anxious cloudy one.