Dealing with Worry and Anxiety

I don’t know anyone that has not worried or been anxious at some point in life. We live in a world filled with anger, brokenness and disagreement. Sometimes those feelings are directly related to our circumstances. Other times, those feelings are related to us listening to the enemy than God.

Our view of God and how we trust Him profoundly impacts how we experience and manage those feelings. The Scriptures provide valuable insights into these feelings and offer guidance on how our faith can shape our response to worry and fear.

We never want to minimalize someone’s feelings or offer one size fits all solutions, but we can remind people that they can choose what to focus on. We can focus on our problems or the corresponding promises that God gives us to address those challenges in life.

At the core of managing anxiety biblically is understanding God’s nature. The Bible shows us that God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever-present. When we truly grasp these attributes, it can significantly reduce our anxiety.

Isaiah 41:10 reminds us, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God”. This promise of God’s constant presence can be a powerful encouragement to those struggling with anxiety.

Furthermore, trusting in God’s goodness and perfect plan for our lives can help alleviate worry. Jeremiah 29:11 assures us that God has plans to prosper us and give us hope and a future. When we help people internalize this truth, it becomes easier to surrender their anxieties to Him.

Jesus also taught that our anxiety often reflects misplaced priorities. In Matthew 6:25-34, He encourages us to seek God’s kingdom first, trusting that our needs will be met. This shift in focus from worldly concerns to spiritual priorities can significantly help others reduce anxiety.

Anxiety can also stem from a lack of trust in God’s wisdom and goodness. By cultivating a deeper trust in God’s character and promises, we can combat these feelings more effectively. Philippians 4:6-7 is a roadmap for doing that. This beautiful set of verses remind us:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

All of this can be used to encourage others that our view of God significantly impacts our experience of worry and anxiety. By deepening our understanding of His character, trusting His promises, and aligning our priorities with His kingdom, we can find peace even in challenging circumstances. While anxiety is a common human experience, faith provides powerful tools to manage and overcome it. 

Lastly, struggling with anxiety doesn’t indicate a lack of faith. Even Jesus experienced intense emotions in the Garden of Gethsemane. However, He modeled for us the importance of bringing our concerns to God and ultimately trusting in His will. The more we encourage people to focus on God’s promises, the smaller those feelings of worry and anxiety become. As they grow their relationship with God, they can increasingly find rest for  anxious hearts in Him.