Finding Peace in an Anxious Season: What the Lilies Can Teach Us

The holiday season has officially arrived. Lights are up. Music is playing. Calendars are packed. And somehow, in the middle of all the cheer, many of us feel more tense than joyful.

It’s a strange contradiction—this season is supposed to be full of peace, yet it often feels like a sprint fueled by caffeine, credit cards, and unrealistic expectations.

But Jesus offers us a different way.

Not a coping mechanism.
Not a productivity hack.
Not another thing to add to the list.

Just… perspective.

The Most Unexpected Advice Jesus Ever Gave

In Matthew 6, Jesus looks at a crowd of stressed-out people and gives them a command that feels almost too simple:

“Consider the lilies of the field.”

Not:

• Try harder
• Plan better
• Worry less

Just… look at the flowers.

Jesus points to lilies that don’t work overtime, don’t stress about appearance, and don’t worry about tomorrow—yet God clothes them with stunning beauty. Then He makes it personal:

“If God takes care of them, how much more will He take care of you?”

That’s not poetry—it’s theology.

You Matter More Than the Lilies

Here’s the truth we often forget when anxiety creeps in:

You are more valuable than flowers.

Lilies don’t carry emotional baggage. They don’t replay conversations. They don’t worry about bills or family dynamics. They simply exist where God placed them—and they flourish.

And Jesus says you matter more than they do.

This season, what’s the one area that feels uncovered or vulnerable? That’s exactly where God wants to clothe you with His peace and provision.

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You.” (Isaiah 26:3)

Peace isn’t found in control—it’s found in focus.

God’s Providence Is Already at Work

Birds don’t clock in.
Flowers don’t earn their beauty.
Creation thrives because God provides.

If God can manage the universe without panic, He can handle your situation—even when you don’t see how.

Try this: pause and name three things God has already provided for you this year. Gratitude has a way of choking out worry.

Worry and gratitude can’t live in the same space. One always pushes the other out.

The Sin We’re Uncomfortable Talking About

Here’s a hard but freeing truth:

Worry is a sin.

Scripture repeatedly tells us:

• Do not worry
• Do not fear
• Do not be anxious

In fact, “fear not” shows up 365 times in the Bible—one reminder for every day of the year.

God doesn’t say this to shame us. He says it because fear slowly steals our peace, our joy, and our trust. Left unchecked, worry moves from the mind into the body—and before we know it, it’s running the show.

The Power of Answering Back

When anxious thoughts show up, we don’t ignore them—we answer them.

Jesus modeled this perfectly. When tempted, He didn’t debate. He declared:

“It is written.”

Scripture teaches us to take thoughts captive and bring them into obedience to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).

When fear says, “You won’t have enough,” we answer with truth.
When anxiety says, “You can’t handle this,” we answer with God’s promises.

We don’t negotiate with lies—we confront them.

And yes, they may come back. When they do, we answer again. That’s not failure—that’s faith in action.

Passing Peace to the Next Generation

This isn’t just adult-level wisdom. Our kids need it too.

Bad dreams? Answer with God’s Word.
Big tests? Answer with God’s Word.
Mean friends? Answer with God’s Word.

We live in a world that markets fear—but we serve a God who equips His people with truth.

A Different Kind of Christmas

This Christmas doesn’t have to be fueled by stress and survival mode.

The God who clothes the lilies covers you.
The God who feeds the birds sees your needs.
The Savior who entered a broken world still brings peace to anxious hearts.

Christmas isn’t about perfect circumstances—it’s about a perfect Savior stepping into imperfect lives.

So take a breath.
Fix your focus.
Answer fear with truth.

And let peace—real peace—lead the way.