Ancient Wisdom for This Anxious Age: Luke 12:22–34’s Imperatives in Anxious Perspective

In this article, I argue that the command of Jesus in Luke 12:22–34 not to be anxious and afraid are supported by exegetical clues from the text and findings in anxiety recovery research. I will argue that the imperatives of Luke 12:22–34 are not intended to be alienating but instructive with regard to where we put our attention and how we handle fear. Moreover, I will demonstrate that these words are not the fruit of a detached theologian or an abstract, impractical encouragement but instead the wisdom of someone familiar with the struggles of life, particularly that of first-century Jewish Palestine. Such is a wisdom that can be drawn upon today, especially for those who struggle with anxiety. The research methodology in this article is interdisciplinary, employing theology, exegesis, and psychology.