December 9th, 2025
by Matthew Spoon
by Matthew Spoon
Trading Worry for Peace This Christmas
The Christmas season brings with it a unique blend of joy and stress. While we celebrate the birth of our Savior, we often find ourselves drowning in to-do lists, financial pressures, and the weight of expectations. But what if this Christmas could be different? What if we could experience the profound peace that Jesus came to bring?
The Gift We Didn't Know We Needed
Before Jesus was even born, the prophet Isaiah declared something remarkable: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulders. For his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).
Notice that title—Prince of Peace. When angels announced Jesus's birth to shepherds in the fields, their first message wasn't about power or judgment. It was: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace, goodwill towards men" (Luke 2:14).
Peace wasn't an afterthought in Jesus's mission. It was central to why He came.
Years later, as Jesus prepared His disciples for His departure, He made them a promise: "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27).
The peace Jesus offers isn't circumstantial or temporary. It's a gift already given, waiting to be received.
The Problem with Worry
In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus addresses our tendency to worry head-on. He tells us not to be anxious about what we'll eat, drink, or wear. These concerns consume our thoughts, yet Jesus points to two simple illustrations that challenge our anxiety.
First, consider the birds. They don't plant crops or store food in barns, yet God feeds them. In ancient Israel, birds were everywhere—so numerous that they became the leading cause of aircraft incidents for the Israeli Air Force. Despite their abundance, God provided for each one.
Second, look at the flowers. They're here today and gone tomorrow, often burned as fuel for ovens in biblical times. Yet God clothes them in beauty that surpasses even Solomon's royal wardrobe.
Jesus's point cuts deep: If God cares for birds and flowers, how much more will He care for you?
Worry is, in many ways, unnatural. Nature doesn't worry—only humans do. And worry is rarely helpful. Most of what we worry about never happens, and the things that do happen are often beyond our control anyway. More importantly, worry reveals a lack of faith. It suggests we don't truly believe God is who He says He is.
Three Keys to Trading Worry for Peace
1. Let Jesus Be King
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:33).
This isn't just a command—it's a promise. When we prioritize God's kingdom, He promises to handle our provision. The problem is that we often reverse the order, seeking provision first and kingdom second.
Life is more than physical necessities. As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:16, "Though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day." Our physical bodies are temporary, but our spiritual reality is eternal.
What therapists call "cognitive behavioral therapy"—retraining your brain to think differently—God prescribed long ago: "Set your mind on things above, not on things of the earth" (Colossians 3:2). When we focus on God's kingdom rather than worst-case scenarios, worry loses its grip.
Consider this: God has a plan for your life. He's not in heaven wringing His hands, worried about whether you'll survive. If God isn't worried, why are you? Your King is in control, and He's not losing sleep. So why should you?
The most important peace you need is peace with God. Romans 5:1 declares, "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Without this foundational peace, all other peace remains elusive. Only through Jesus—His perfect life, His sacrificial death, His victorious resurrection—can we be made right with God.
2. Live a Day at a Time
"Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble" (Matthew 6:34).
This is beautifully simple advice: Take care of what you can take care of today, and let tomorrow take care of itself.
Jesus asks, "Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?" (Matthew 6:27). If worry can't add even 18 inches to your height—something completely out of your control—why worry about other things beyond your control?
A dense fog covering seven city blocks 100 feet deep contains only about one glass of water—divided into 60 billion tiny droplets. That's what worry does. It takes something small and spreads it across our entire lives until we can't see clearly.
God promises strength for today, not for every possible tomorrow. When tomorrow comes, it will be today, and God's strength will be there waiting.
3. Lean on the Faithfulness of God
"For all these things the Gentiles seek, for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things" (Matthew 6:32).
You have a good Father. A child with a loving, providing father doesn't lie awake worrying about meals or clothing. How much more should we trust our perfect heavenly Father?
Second Timothy 2:13 reminds us: "If we are faithless, he remains faithful. He cannot deny himself." Even when our faith wavers, God's faithfulness never does.
The Apostle Paul learned contentment in every circumstance—whether full or hungry, abounding or in need. His secret? "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).
Paul's prescription for anxiety is found in Philippians 4:6-7: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Notice the process: Tell God about it. Thank Him for past faithfulness. Then receive His peace—a peace that doesn't make sense given your circumstances, a peace that surpasses understanding.
A Choice Before You
You can spend your life dwelling on your problems, or you can dwell on God's promises. The choice is yours.
This Christmas, as you look at nativity scenes and sing carols about peace on earth, remember that Jesus came to give you actual, tangible, life-changing peace. Not the temporary peace the world offers, but lasting peace with God and the peace of God.
The same God who kept His promise to send a Savior keeps His promises to provide for you, guide you, and give you peace in the midst of life's storms.
Will you let Him be King? Will you live one day at a time? Will you lean on His faithfulness?
The peace Jesus came to bring isn't just for eternity—it's for today, right now, in the midst of whatever you're facing. That's the gift of Christmas we often overlook while shopping, decorating, and rushing through the season.
This year, receive the gift of peace. It's already been given. You just need to unwrap it.
The Christmas season brings with it a unique blend of joy and stress. While we celebrate the birth of our Savior, we often find ourselves drowning in to-do lists, financial pressures, and the weight of expectations. But what if this Christmas could be different? What if we could experience the profound peace that Jesus came to bring?
The Gift We Didn't Know We Needed
Before Jesus was even born, the prophet Isaiah declared something remarkable: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulders. For his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).
Notice that title—Prince of Peace. When angels announced Jesus's birth to shepherds in the fields, their first message wasn't about power or judgment. It was: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace, goodwill towards men" (Luke 2:14).
Peace wasn't an afterthought in Jesus's mission. It was central to why He came.
Years later, as Jesus prepared His disciples for His departure, He made them a promise: "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27).
The peace Jesus offers isn't circumstantial or temporary. It's a gift already given, waiting to be received.
The Problem with Worry
In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus addresses our tendency to worry head-on. He tells us not to be anxious about what we'll eat, drink, or wear. These concerns consume our thoughts, yet Jesus points to two simple illustrations that challenge our anxiety.
First, consider the birds. They don't plant crops or store food in barns, yet God feeds them. In ancient Israel, birds were everywhere—so numerous that they became the leading cause of aircraft incidents for the Israeli Air Force. Despite their abundance, God provided for each one.
Second, look at the flowers. They're here today and gone tomorrow, often burned as fuel for ovens in biblical times. Yet God clothes them in beauty that surpasses even Solomon's royal wardrobe.
Jesus's point cuts deep: If God cares for birds and flowers, how much more will He care for you?
Worry is, in many ways, unnatural. Nature doesn't worry—only humans do. And worry is rarely helpful. Most of what we worry about never happens, and the things that do happen are often beyond our control anyway. More importantly, worry reveals a lack of faith. It suggests we don't truly believe God is who He says He is.
Three Keys to Trading Worry for Peace
1. Let Jesus Be King
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:33).
This isn't just a command—it's a promise. When we prioritize God's kingdom, He promises to handle our provision. The problem is that we often reverse the order, seeking provision first and kingdom second.
Life is more than physical necessities. As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:16, "Though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day." Our physical bodies are temporary, but our spiritual reality is eternal.
What therapists call "cognitive behavioral therapy"—retraining your brain to think differently—God prescribed long ago: "Set your mind on things above, not on things of the earth" (Colossians 3:2). When we focus on God's kingdom rather than worst-case scenarios, worry loses its grip.
Consider this: God has a plan for your life. He's not in heaven wringing His hands, worried about whether you'll survive. If God isn't worried, why are you? Your King is in control, and He's not losing sleep. So why should you?
The most important peace you need is peace with God. Romans 5:1 declares, "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Without this foundational peace, all other peace remains elusive. Only through Jesus—His perfect life, His sacrificial death, His victorious resurrection—can we be made right with God.
2. Live a Day at a Time
"Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble" (Matthew 6:34).
This is beautifully simple advice: Take care of what you can take care of today, and let tomorrow take care of itself.
Jesus asks, "Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?" (Matthew 6:27). If worry can't add even 18 inches to your height—something completely out of your control—why worry about other things beyond your control?
A dense fog covering seven city blocks 100 feet deep contains only about one glass of water—divided into 60 billion tiny droplets. That's what worry does. It takes something small and spreads it across our entire lives until we can't see clearly.
God promises strength for today, not for every possible tomorrow. When tomorrow comes, it will be today, and God's strength will be there waiting.
3. Lean on the Faithfulness of God
"For all these things the Gentiles seek, for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things" (Matthew 6:32).
You have a good Father. A child with a loving, providing father doesn't lie awake worrying about meals or clothing. How much more should we trust our perfect heavenly Father?
Second Timothy 2:13 reminds us: "If we are faithless, he remains faithful. He cannot deny himself." Even when our faith wavers, God's faithfulness never does.
The Apostle Paul learned contentment in every circumstance—whether full or hungry, abounding or in need. His secret? "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).
Paul's prescription for anxiety is found in Philippians 4:6-7: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Notice the process: Tell God about it. Thank Him for past faithfulness. Then receive His peace—a peace that doesn't make sense given your circumstances, a peace that surpasses understanding.
A Choice Before You
You can spend your life dwelling on your problems, or you can dwell on God's promises. The choice is yours.
This Christmas, as you look at nativity scenes and sing carols about peace on earth, remember that Jesus came to give you actual, tangible, life-changing peace. Not the temporary peace the world offers, but lasting peace with God and the peace of God.
The same God who kept His promise to send a Savior keeps His promises to provide for you, guide you, and give you peace in the midst of life's storms.
Will you let Him be King? Will you live one day at a time? Will you lean on His faithfulness?
The peace Jesus came to bring isn't just for eternity—it's for today, right now, in the midst of whatever you're facing. That's the gift of Christmas we often overlook while shopping, decorating, and rushing through the season.
This year, receive the gift of peace. It's already been given. You just need to unwrap it.
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