The Biblical View on: Anxiety

    

    Hey everyone! This is the first post of a new series I am starting called "The Biblical View on..." where I will dive into various hot topics in today's society to see what the Bible says about these things. I will begin by discussing anxiety.  

    Society tells us to WORRY, WORRY, WORRY. Yet it is a sin so commonly looked over. Everyone struggles with some form of anxiety and it is only worsening as time goes on. I believe most anxiety is based on fear. Our society preaches being confident, strong, and fearless yet so many of us still worry ALL THE TIME. (Myself included). But let's forget what society says and ask ourselves; what does the bible say about anxiety? 

    Joy in trials:

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:2-4 

    A lot of us get anxiety from trials and rough times in our lives. Yet the bible says to consider it ALL JOY!!! Why? Because you grow from trials. If you think about weekly elementary school spelling tests and how at the beginning you probably couldn't spell very well (at least I couldn't). As weeks went by and you took more tests you grew and learned to spell. The same thing goes for our faith we cannot grow without trials. 

"And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:3-5 

    Perseverance through trials also proves your character. When presented with a trial we can either choose worldly mentality which is to worry and fester over it or we can choose the Godly mentality. Choosing the Godly mentality brings about hope for the future and the love of God poured into our hearts. Instead of striving to be physically strong we should strive to be strong to persevere through trials in a Godly way. 

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2

    Sometimes our trials are for some greater purpose. Jesus had to endure the most incredible sacrifice of death on the cross yet He knows the joy that would come from His sacrifice and endurance. He could've stopped, resisted, hesitated, called angels, worried about it, performed miracles but instead chose the cross knowing the end result and the innumerable blessings to come from it. Whenever you run into trials in your life think of the blessings to come from it. See God's many blessings in your life instead of all the negativity. For example, one of the hardest moments in my life thus far was losing my little sister Eleanor as a stillborn in 2015. I do miss her every day and wish she could've grown up with me but her death taught me to appreciate your siblings and treasure them each and everyday. I know that I treasure my time with my family more and more because of that trial in my life. 

   God's way over our way:

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psalms 119:105

    Sometimes we get anxiety when we feel lost in life and don't know what to do. God is a light in this dark and depressing world so let His word be the light in your life to guide your ways in everything you do and you won't need to worry about knowing everything and what to do with your life. He has already put together the perfect "Life Manual"- the Bible. 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

    Humans often think that they know the best way all the time no matter what. And if you honestly ask yourself "Do I know everything?" you would then think "of course not!". So if we know we don't know everything why don't we just trust in God who does know everything. You will constantly be disappointed by man but in God and His way you will find peace. 

"The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8 

    The Bible is still applicable today. Everything else in the world will fade away but God's word will always remain applicable to humans. Think about the amount of technological and intellectual change humans have had since the beginning yet the Bible and it's daily applications have always been relevant. You can't say that about science and medicine because it is constantly changing and can't be trusted. Yet society still trusts science and medicine over the Bible. Instead of looking to God for the answers society looks to anxiety and depression medication. But that isn't getting to the root problem is it?  

"For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace." Romans 8:6

    If you can fully trust in God and His word then you will find life and peace. When you have peace, anxiety cannot take hold of you. Better yet, when you find God's perfect peace in His word then you can have FULL confidence that anxiety, worries, and depression cannot even get close to you. If we all were to set our minds on things above we could avoid all anxiety. 

    The Love of God Remains Constant:

" For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

    Some of our anxiety comes from the inconsistencies of life. Life changes rapidly and in ways we don't expect it to. I've struggled with anxiety from life changes for a long time. I fantasize and plan my life and become disappointed when it doesn't go my way. Then I start to worry about what I am going to do with the new curveball life throws at me. But the only way we can find consistency is in Christ. 

"Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you."1 Peter 5:7

    Not only will life changes disappoint you but also people will disappoint you. But you can find joy, contentment, and peace in knowing that God will always care for you. He will always love you. He will always provide for you. You cannot fully guarantee that you will get those things from any human being. I find peace in the God's promises to care for me and hope you will too. 

"Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31

    God cares for even the smallest of creatures. He makes sure they are provided for and He will make sure you are taken care of too. We are much more valuable to God because we are made in His image. He knows and sees us so well that He even knows the number of hairs on our heads. God values us and knows our worth. So there is no need to worry in social situations thinking and wondering if you are good enough, if you're awkward, if you don't feel like you are supposed to be there. People are just people and the only one whose opinion matters is God's and He already values you. 

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8

    Similarly to God's word, His love for us and His promises will never change. They will last forever while everything else fades away. Hold fast to this verse in find comfort in the consistency of God's love. 

    Prayer Provides Peace:

"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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

    Do you ever need to vent to someone? It always feels so nice to get something off your chest after it has been weighing you down. How great is it that you can just vent to God anytime you need to?! You don't need a cell phone to call Him up. You don't need to worry if He has time to listen. He will always listen and is the only one who can actually truly help you with your concerns, worries, and doubts. Talk to Him as you would talk to a friend. 

"When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul." Psalms 94:19

    Let God be your counselor when you have anxious thoughts. Pray for guidance and strength. Pray for help through your anxieties and His counsel will DELIGHT your soul. Your anxieties will soon fall away knowing He hears your groanings. 

"Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken." Psalms 55:22

    Do you ever feel burdensome? Do you feel heavy? God will gladly take your load if you have faith and trust in Him. Tell Him about your cares and burdens and He will take them all away. You never have to do anything alone when you have God. He is with you always. Challenge yourself to talk to God in every spare moment and you will feel much lighter. Talk to Him while walking to class, while standing in line, while driving, and even while in the shower. It sounds odd but some of my longest and deepest conversations with God have been in the shower. 

    Circumstantial anxiety:

" Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to spread the word of God without fear." Philippians 1:12-14

    Philippians is commonly considered one of the happiest books in the Bible yet it was written by Paul while he was imprisoned. He could have let his circumstances define him and his happiness but he was still spreading the gospel and had JOY in prison. He had God even in his rough circumstances and did not have anxiety. He didn't worry what would happen to him. He just kept doing God's kingdom work. 

" Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

        I remember as a child many children's shows would say to be strong or to be courageous but it is hard to feel that way at times. This leads us to worry. Many anxieties are based out of fear. Fear of failure (I know I really struggle with this one), fear of feeling dumb, fear of the worst case scenario. But with God at your side you have no need to fear. Be strong and courageous in Christ knowing you are helping to do His kingdom work. 

" So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34

    Find comfort in going to bed not worrying about tomorrow. With Christ you can go to bed at peace. Worrying about the next day or the future will not delay it nor will it cause it to change or go away. Everyday that you've been alive so far has come and passed just fine so why worry. God is still consistent and so are His promises. 

    Notice how none of the scriptures say worry, stress over it, fear from it, be sad. It says lean on God, do not worry for your daily needs, have joy, be strong and courageous, and see the blessings God has provided you with. That being said: anxiety is a very hard thing to overcome and think through since it is so based on feelings. It will take time to learn to deal with your anxiety in a Godly way so have patience with yourself and find comfort in the love and blessings of God. Thank you for reading!!

                                                                        -Abby :)