What does the Bible say about Anxiety?
Hello friend,
Bukola here👋🏾
How are you doing today? I hope life has treated you well and this month has been good.
A few weeks ago, I noticed a pattern in my life.
Whenever I had to think about my career; what I wanted to do soon or even carry out a simple task at work…my heart would skip a few beats and my hands would shake before I clicked “submit”.
To top it all up, I was constantly questioning my skills. “Am I good enough?, Can I pull this off?”
Well,
YES, I CAN!
I was just anxious.
So, I decided to search the scriptures.
What exactly does the Bible say about anxiety?
Considering the definitions, causes, and effects of anxiety, we know that anxiety is a common, worldwide issue with many layers. The good news is that God doesn’t leave us in the dark. The Bible does speak about anxiety and provides some guidance on how to deal with this common struggle.
Although the word itself may not be found all that often, depending on the version of the Bible that you read, synonyms like trouble, heaviness, distress, and cares are used in its place.
In 1 Samuel chapter 1, Hannah is distressed because she couldn’t conceive and Peninnah, her husband’s other wife, was making fun of her. She was distressed because of the disappointment and harassment of a rival.
The Jewish people in Esther chapter 4 are worried about a royal order that allows their murder. And Queen Esther is anxious because she plans to risk her life for her people.
Anxiety is largely caused by a fear of the unknown and death.
The Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew, chapter 6, is likely the most well-known text about anxiety. Our Lord warns us against being anxious about the various cares of this life. For the child of God, necessities like food and clothing are nothing to worry about.
Jesus teaches that our Heavenly Father knows and is concerned about our needs by using examples from God’s creation. If God takes care of simple things like grass, flowers, and birds, won’t He also care for us, created in His image?
Rather than worrying about things that are out of our control, we ought to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things [the necessities of life] will be added to you” (verse 33)
Putting God first is a cure for anxiety.
Sin is often the cause of worry or anxiety. And treating the sin is the solution. According to Psalm 32:1–5, the one whose sins are forgiven is blessed, and confessing one’s sins releases one of a great burden of guilt.
Is the fear of the unknown causing you to worry? Turn the situation over to the God who knows everything and controls it all!
Are you feeling anxious because of overwhelming situations? Put your trust in God! In Matthew 8:23–27, When the disciples became distressed in a storm, Jesus first rebuked their lack of faith, then rebuked the wind and the waves.
As long as you are with Jesus, there is nothing to fear.
We can rely on the Lord to provide for our needs, protect us from evil, guide us, and keep our souls secure for eternity. We may be unable to prevent anxious thoughts from entering our minds, but we can practice the right response.
Philippians 4:6-7 tell us to be anxious for nothing but take our requests to God in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, and in return, the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
“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.”
Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV
My dear friend, God is bigger than ALL our anxieties and He does not want us to wear ourselves out trying to fight through the anxieties of life on our own. He can be trusted with our anxieties and He will take care of us.
God is calling you into the fullness of His rest. Stop worrying. Stop complaining.
“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 NKJV
The Lord is with you, my friend.
Till I write to you again, keep resting in God.
All my love,
Bukola 💛
