“Consider the Lilies” | Piano Instrumental by Fred McKinnon

Today’s episode #139 of the “Worship Interludes Podcast” is specifically composed and recorded to help relieve anxiety and stress. Music has an amazing impact on our lives. Neuroscientists have done countless studies on specific types of music and its ability to relieve stress and anxiety. There is an entire profession dedicated to using music for therapy and healing called Music Therapy.

In Biblical times, there are accounts where King Saul was tormented by evil spirits and the only relief he had came from David playing instrumental music. We don’t know exactly how this happens but the power of music is undeniable.

And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.1 Samuel 16:23

Application in Your Life

I would guess that many, many people in this world battle against anxiety and stress to some degree. We live in such a stressful culture with such high demands and expectations. Financially, we have to resist the race to be like other people. Social media has exasperated this by giving us a glimpse into a lifestyle that is framed by what people want us to see. Our news and media outlets bombard us with negativity, strife, division, and discord. All of these things can greatly impact our ability to walk in peace.

Jesus Christ addressed this beautifully in the New Testament of the Holy Bible. His comments about anxiety and worry are recorded not only in Luke, but in Matthew 6. Read these words and embrace the truth.

(25) “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? (26) Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? (27) And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? (28) And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, (29) yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. (30) 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? (31) Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ (32) For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. (33) But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.(34) “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.Matthew 6: 25-...