Now why would He tell us not to be anxious? Well because it elevates fear above the Lord. It can even be a form of idolatry. If I am obeying my anxiety, I am expressing no trust in God. I am saying to God “I think that this problem is out of Your control, or You will not help me.”. It is “Lord, I say ‘Thy will be done’, but I do not want Your will to be out of mine, and/or I do not want to have to go through what You would have me go through, or I do not believe You make everything work for my good. I am saying Your will be done, but I do not really believe that will happen.”.
It is disobedience, almost a form of idolatry, when we put ourselves above the Lord. For example, the Lord might want me to speak in public but maybe I am afraid to. I am anxious. I might even be anxious enough to make myself sick or refuse to go on stage. At that point I put myself, my anxiety, my self-protection above the Lord’s will. How many might have been saved that night? Who might have gotten help? My actions are saying “Well, it is all about me.”.