'Be Anxious For Nothing' - The Bible And Anxiety

Over recent years there has been a consistent rise in the number of people who struggle with some kind of anxiety. Anxiety disorders are becoming more and more prevalent all around the world, affecting people of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life. The Bible tells us to resist the overwhelm of anxiety, but often we can feel like we are anxious about everything.

Even those with a strong faith can struggle with anxiety, sometimes even daily. We may wonder how we are to reconcile the anxious thoughts we have with our faith in a sovereign God. In this blog article we will explore a few examples of what Scripture has to say about anxiety. We will also unpack some helpful thoughts as we navigate our own battles with anxiety.

Don't Be Anxious

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

You’ve probably read or heard this verse before. It’s one of the most famous and widely quoted verses in the Bible and contains a very powerful instruction. The command not to be anxious can seem a bit strange and perhaps even overwhelming - especially when we feel we need to worry about everything. But this verse is actually a great encouragement as well as a meaningful challenge. This command does not tell us to dismiss the reality of anxiety. Rather, it invites us into the peace-bringing, life-giving presence of our loving Father in Heaven. God does not wish for us to live lives restricted by fear. In fact, He desires that we would be entirely free from the grip of anxiety. He does not want us to turn away from Him because of our fears, but to come to Him with confidence, boldly asking for what we need and giving thanks to Him for all He is. Even in our most anxious seasons, we are invited to rely upon the goodness of our God. By aligning ourselves with God and His promises, we can begin the journey of learning what it means to truly be anxious for nothing.

It’s Normal To Feel Anxious

One of the most comforting truths of Scripture is its affirmation of the full emotional range of our human experience. In God’s Word we can see that, although anxiety is not what God wishes for us, it is a normal part of the human experience. Throughout Scripture we find affirmations about the reality of all of our emotions, even the most challenging ones. Ecclesiastes 3:4 reminds us that every emotion has its ‘moment’ and that there is “a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” There will be times in life when we feel on top of the world and there will be times when we feel knocked down by anxiety and uncertain about the future. And, although anxiety disorders are a real and challenging thing, the feeling of anxiety is one which is part of the human experience. We mustn’t think that we are abnormal or wrong if we encounter feelings of anxiety in life.

Being Anxious Doesn’t Make You A Bad Christian

Anxiety can pose unique challenges for Christians. One such challenge is that of how we go about reconciling anxiety with our faith journey. We can often feel guilty about experiencing anxiety. We can worry that there is something wrong with us or that we are not trusting God enough. But God’s Word is clear that being anxious doesn’t separate you from God. Nor does it make you a bad Christian. Romans 8:38-39 says: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” There is no event, no circumstance, no emotion that can separate you from God. You are no worse a Christian if you wrestle with feelings of anxiety, and God does not love you any less. You are a beloved child of God, made in His image and eternally His.

There Is An Answer For Your Anxiety

The Bible is clear that it’s OK to feel anxious in life. But it also promises that God has an answer for our anxiety. God promises his presence to each of us, and a fruit of His presence is freedom and release from feelings of anxiety and worry. 1 John 4:18 says: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” God is love. So we can be confident and assured that in His presence there is no fear, no anxiety, no worry and no pain. The Bible also promises that God will have the final say. He will be victorious over all sin, illness, sickness and pain. God promises that there will be a day when He defeats all anxiety. As we read in Revelation 21:4, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” What an amazing verse! What an encouraging promise. Whatever battle you are currently facing will, one day, be entirely defeated, and you will step into an eternity free from all anxiety and worry.

Step Into The Presence Of God Today

The promises of God are powerful and true. Be comforted today by the truth that anxiety is a part of our human experience. We can be confident that feelings of anxiety don’t separate us from God. We can be assured that God’s presence is an answer to our anxiety. And we can be expectant for the day when anxiety will be defeated once and for all. Because of these powerful truths we can truly be anxious for nothing. We can truly know what it means to embrace our emotions and to live from the presence and strength of God’s empowering Spirit. Why not take that first step of trusting God today? Pray to Him. Invite Him into your life. And trust that He will lead you to a place of freedom and peace. Head to the Glorify App for more helpful resources on anxiety Photo by Alan Sardini on Unsplash