Here's an often overlooked remedy for mild functional anxiety, your doctor may not have told you about...

As a pastor I often hear or see people say things about how churches waste money on aesthetics, or good music, and not spend that money on the poor. This is reminiscent of the disciples chiding the woman with the expensive perfume, who blessed Jesus.

In the Gospel of Matthew, it is recounted that a woman approached Jesus with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume and poured it on his head as he was reclining at the table. The disciples were indignant at this, questioning why such a costly item was wasted when it could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor. Aware of their displeasure, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her." Matthew 26:10

Not only does this verse point out the value of honoring the Lord, as well as avoiding false pretenses, but also the value of beauty that God loves. And if God loves beauty, perhaps there’s something in it that we may be missing, in our efforts to be practical.

Finding Peace Through Beauty: A Reflection for Christian Professionals

In the modern workplace, anxiety often looms large. Deadlines, pressures, and the constant hum of responsibilities can narrow our vision, making us feel trapped and overwhelmed. Yet as Christians, we are called to lift our gaze to something greater. One of the most transformative ways to address our anxiety is by rediscovering the role of beauty—not as an escape, but as a pathway to God’s peace.

The Limits of Human Understanding

The philosopher JB Manchak argues that we cannot fully comprehend the structure of the universe from within it, even if we had every possible perspective. This insight, rooted in Einstein’s general relativity, underscores the limits of human understanding. It is a reminder that life, with all its complexity, cannot be grasped entirely through logic or analysis.

For the anxious heart, this can be both frustrating and freeing. It is frustrating because we often seek control through understanding. But it is freeing when we realize that our deepest peace is not found in unraveling every mystery but in surrendering to the One who holds all things together.

Our efforts at beauty are like a painter trying, albeit in vain, to convey the beauty of a forest, but with paint. As well as he might paint, he cannot effectively convey the beauty of nature. However, this doesn’t mean he should stop painting. why? Because beauty and acts of conveying beauty is important, according to God!

The Role of Beauty in Worship and Life

Metropolitan Kallistos offered a profound reflection on beauty, particularly in the context of worship. Why do we burn candles, offer incense, or adorn our churches with icons and vestments? These acts, he explains, transcend verbal explanation. They are expressions of love and longing, touching a part of our being that rational arguments cannot reach.

Similarly, beauty in our daily lives—whether in art, music, nature, or relationships—has the power to lift us beyond our immediate struggles. It reminds us that there is more to life than utility or functionality. Beauty invites us to encounter God, who is the source of all that is good, true, and lovely.

As Archpriest Alexander Schmemann writes, the beauty of the liturgy is “unnecessary” in the sense that it is not about function but love. When we prepare a table with candles and flowers for someone we cherish, we do so not because it is required, but because it expresses something deeper. In the same way, beauty in worship and life reflects the joy of being in God’s presence.

Beauty as a Remedy for Anxiety

Anxiety often thrives on a sense of isolation and a fixation on the immediate. Beauty counters this by drawing us into something larger than ourselves. Dostoevsky’s famous statement, “Beauty will save the world,” takes on a deeper meaning in this context. Beauty saves because it redirects our attention from the temporal to the eternal, from our fears to God’s glory.

Consider the Psalmist’s words: “One thing I ask of the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple” (Psalm 27:4). This longing for God’s beauty is not escapism; it is a recognition that true peace comes from beholding His glory.

Practical Steps to Encounter Beauty

As Christian professionals, how can we integrate the transformative power of beauty into our lives, especially during times of anxiety?

1. Seek Beauty in Worship
   Attend church services with a heart open to the beauty of the liturgy. Let the hymns, incense, and sacred art draw you into the mystery of God’s presence.

2. Create Moments of Beauty
   In your daily life, set aside time to enjoy the simple gifts of creation—a sunset, a piece of music, or a walk in nature. Surround yourself with reminders of God’s love and creativity.

3. Anchor Your Work in Love
   Approach your professional tasks with a mindset of love and service. Even mundane duties can become acts of worship when offered to God with a spirit of gratitude.

4. Practice Silence and Contemplation
   In a world filled with noise, make room for silence. Beauty often speaks in whispers, and a quiet heart is more attuned to its call.

5. Celebrate the Small Joys
   Like the beautiful tablecloth prepared for a loved one, small acts of care and creativity can remind us of the joy and abundance found in God’s Kingdom.

The Glory That Transforms

Ultimately, beauty points us to Christ, who is “the radiance of God’s glory” (Hebrews 1:3). In the Eucharist, we stand in the presence of the risen Lord, clothed in the glory of His Kingdom. This reality transforms our anxiety into peace and our fear into joy.

In a world that often prioritizes efficiency over wonder, let us remember that beauty is not a luxury but a necessity for the soul. By embracing beauty, we not only find solace for our own hearts but also reflect the light of Christ to those around us.