Dealing with Anxiety

Anxiety is a threat to all people.  We have all dealt with some portion of anxiety in our lives: whether it's work related, family concerns, financial issues, planning, grieving, the list goes on and on.  Our lives are fast paced, and time waits for no one.  Our physical lives will encounter trials and tribulations but what does the Word of God have to say about anxiety? Let's take a look at some Scriptures.

Jesus spoke much about anxiety and even gives us the cure for it.  The Greek word used for anxiety in the following Scriptures is merimnaō, and it means "to be anxious or troubled with cares."  Now, the Greek word used is the same in all these Scriptures below but sometimes the English words differ so I will highlight with parenthesis:

Jesus says, "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought (anxiety) for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought (anxiety) can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought (anxiety) for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought (don't be anxious), saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought (don't be anxious) for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought (anxiety) for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." - Matthew 6:25-34

We notice in the above passage that Jesus used this Greek word merimnaō (which means "to be anxious or troubled with cares") six times! Using this word six times shows the importance and significance of this issue.  Jesus knew anxiety is real and He addresses this with his disciples. 

Now please notice, Jesus says not to have anxiety about ANY portion of your life - Jesus mentions eating, drinking, clothing, your physical appearance, your current existence, and even future events that haven't occurred yet. I know this is easy preaching and hard living, right? You are probably thinking that's impossible.  However, the answer and cure for anxiety which Jesus tells us in the above passage is underlined for you:

Jesus says, "O ye of little faith?" Do you realize as a believer in Christ that faith can move mountains? (see Matt. 21:21) Our faith and prayer is what makes God act (see James 4:2). You MUST believe that God can take care of you and He will take care of you as your Heavenly Father.  Your a child of God as a believer in Christ as Savior (John 1:12, Gal. 3:26).  As children of God, we truly are to be worry-free (anxiety-free). However, when you lack faith and let circumstances override your notion of the Providence of God, then you may encounter anxiety.  When this occurs, we must take our worries, cares, and anxiety to our Heavenly Father for answers and comfort.

Notice the last underlined text in the above passage: Jesus is saying we have a Father in Heaven who knows our needs already and if we seek "His will" first (considering and focusing on spiritual matters, God's divine plan & work to be done, His goodness), then we have no need to worry (or be anxious) about any issue life throws at us. Moreover, if your faith does waver, God is available and ready to hear your needs and help you through any and all situations!

The Apostle Paul re-emphasizes Jesus' teaching on anxiety and the cure for it with the following Scripture:

"Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication (petitions - seeking and asking) with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." - Philippians 4:6

Notice, again we are told to be anxious-free (worry-free) because we have a Heavenly Father who cares about us more than we care about ourselves (see 1 Pet. 5:7). And if/when we mistakenly allow anxiety to creep up in our lives, we can always pray and petition God to help us through.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6

I pray you have been encouraged with this article on anxiety and will seek God in faith and prayer knowing He cares and will help!