Collide - Anxiety and Idolatry

Collide - Anxiety and Idolatry

In this insightful Bible teaching from Founded in Truth Fellowship, Matthew Vander Els explores the pervasive issues of anxiety and worry in our modern lives and connects them to the concept of idolatry. He begins by observing a cultural phenomenon, particularly in the South, where people often present a facade of being "good" and "great" even when they are not. This tendency to emphasize the exterior, what others see, can become a default mechanism, a mask that hides our true feelings. Over time, this can lead to a disconnect from our authentic selves and contribute to underlying anxieties.

Vander Els points out that anxiety itself is a natural human response. However, our culture often breeds and encourages anxiety by training us to chase after things that are ultimately unattainable and unsatisfying. We are bombarded with messages defining sexual beauty, success, and worth based on worldly standards presented in television, billboards, magazines, and advertisements. This constant pursuit of the world's definition of what we need to be wanted and loved creates fear and anxiety when we fall short. We feel pressured to constantly strive and push for these elusive goals.

Interestingly, even when we achieve these worldly markers of success, our anxiety often does not disappear. Instead, it can multiply, as we then become anxious about losing what we have acquired. Our culture, according to Vander Els, is training us to be an anxious people. Social media plays a significant role in this by inviting us to present a curated snapshot of our best moments, leading to comparisons and feelings of inadequacy when our everyday lives don't measure up to these idealized online personas. We worry about worldly things that never truly satisfy because the anxiety of acquiring them is often replaced by the anxiety of maintaining them. The speaker suggests that even celebrities, who seemingly have everything the world offers, often struggle with public meltdowns and admit to anxiety, highlighting that worldly success does not equate to inner peace.

Turning to scripture, Vander Els examines Yeshua's (Jesus') teachings in Matthew 6:25, where he says, "**Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?**" He cautions against taking this passage out of context to mean we should live without any cares or that experiencing worry is a sin. Instead, he asserts that Yeshua's consistent message throughout the Sermon on the Mount is about the direction of our hearts. It's about choosing to give our hearts to God rather than the world, pledging allegiance to a greater, heavenly kingdom that offers true peace, love, and security. Yeshua isn't telling us not to care at all or to be apathetic, but rather not to yield our hearts to worldly pursuits and anxieties.

Anxiety is presented not merely as a mental state but as a real, full-body experience with chemical manifestations that trigger the fight-or-flight response. Matthew Vander Els points out that even Yeshua experienced worry and anxiety, such as when Lazarus died and in the Garden of Gethsemane before his crucifixion. In the garden, Yeshua was deeply distressed and troubled, yet his response was to go into prayer and give his fear to God. This provides a crucial lesson: the question is not whether we will worry, but what we do with our worry and where it is directed. Prayer should be our first response, not a last resort, when anxiety arises.

The teaching highlights that even though the original audience of the Sermon on the Mount may have had literal anxieties about basic needs like food and clothing, we in our more affluent society still grapple with anxiety, often concerning the appearance and status of our possessions. Anxiety about body image and the pursuit of cultural ideals of beauty are identified as significant drivers of worry and can become a form of **idolatry**, where we give our hearts and focus to something other than God. Where our heart is, that is where our loyalty, treasure, and worship will reside.

Vander Els cites statistics indicating that a large percentage of adults suffer from anxiety disorders, and a significant majority of what people worry about never actually happens. This wasted energy and focus on unproductive worry distracts us from our primary role as ambassadors of God's kingdom. Serving two masters—God and the world with its anxieties—is impossible.

Drawing from nature, Yeshua uses the examples of birds and lilies. Birds, though they may have instincts for survival, do not spend their days consumed by the fear of starvation. Lilies depend entirely on God for their needs without worrying about their appearance or future sustenance. These examples illustrate the importance of trusting in God's providence and focusing on our God-given purpose. As human beings, we are destined to live in pursuit of God's mission, being image-bearers who reflect His character to the world.

The teaching also touches on how anxieties can manifest in various ways, such as obsession with conspiracy theories or extreme focus on health fads, which can distract from our core mission and even become idols. It is crucial to discern when these concerns become all-consuming and fuel unhealthy anxiety, pulling us away from our focus on God's kingdom.

Matthew Vander Els emphasizes that **clinical anxiety is a real physical diagnosis**, not just something "in your head." Living in an anxiety-ridden culture can literally carve new pathways in our brains, making it a persistent issue. He stresses the importance of seeking professional help and not stopping medication for anxiety or depression based on non-medical advice. Medication can be a tool to regain control and begin the process of healing.

The core message returns to Yeshua's teaching: "**But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.**" (Matthew 6:33). Our primary focus should be on God and His kingdom, trusting that He knows our needs and will provide. We are called to live fully in the present, celebrating God's goodness now, rather than being consumed by anxieties about the future. Following Yeshua's example, our first response to anxiety about things we cannot control should be prayer, handing our fears over to the Father. This, according to the speaker, is the antidote to anxiety.

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Application for Everyday Life

• Recognize the cultural pressures that contribute to anxiety by constantly pushing worldly definitions of success and beauty.
• Be aware of the "masks" we wear and the tendency to present an idealized exterior, and strive for more authenticity.
• Evaluate your pursuits: Are you chasing things that truly satisfy or merely fleeting worldly desires that breed anxiety?
• Limit exposure to social media or be mindful of the curated nature of online presentations to avoid unhealthy comparisons.
• Practice prayer as the first response to anxiety, following Yeshua's example of giving fears to God.
• Shift your focus from worldly worries to seeking God's kingdom and righteousness first, trusting in His provision.
• Learn from the example of birds and lilies by trusting in God's care and focusing on your God-given purpose rather than being consumed by anxieties.
• Be discerning about information, especially regarding conspiracies and health fads, and ensure it doesn't become a source of overwhelming anxiety.
• Acknowledge that clinical anxiety is a real condition and seek professional help if needed, including medication when prescribed by a doctor.
• Live in the present moment, celebrating God's goodness today rather than being paralyzed by worries about tomorrow.
• Regularly evaluate where your heart is directed: Is it toward worldly anxieties or toward God and His kingdom?

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