What should I do when I'm anxious? Why do I worry?
17-Nov-10
We might begin by defining what worry or anxiety is from a Biblical perspective. In the New Testament, the 2 words stem from the same Greek word & it seems they are basically interchangeable. Let’s look at some passages that use them.
Our first encounter with worry is in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. After telling us that spiritual things have more value than any earthly possessions (Mt 6.20-21), He explains that the 2 will be competing for our devotion if we don’t keep that in view (Mt 6.24). Then He goes on to say,
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” – Mt 6-25-34
Note that Jesus emphasizes:
Of course, saying “Don’t worry, be happy” is easier sung than done. We get anxious when things that are otherwise predictable in our life, suddenly become unpredictable. When things are predictable, we feel as if we’re in control. We make plans. We make assumptions. And if things are predictable for too long, we get complacent, take things for granted & begin to feel that we deserve to have things in whatever way affords us the most control. This is likely the reason many people don’t like change. This is also likely the reason some people will settle for less if it is predictable (i.e. addiction to welfare programs) even though something more beneficial is available albeit more uncertain. But the bottom line is that we really aren’t in as much control as we think – even when things have long been predictable.
Our first encounter with worry is in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. After telling us that spiritual things have more value than any earthly possessions (Mt 6.20-21), He explains that the 2 will be competing for our devotion if we don’t keep that in view (Mt 6.24). Then He goes on to say,
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” – Mt 6-25-34
Note that Jesus emphasizes:
- We are especially valuable to God.
- He is fully aware of our situations & needs.
- Worrying is a fruitless waste of time & energy.
- There’s a crucial link between worry & reduced faith or trust in God.
- Worry reveals we have shifted our trust from God to the something else.
- Worry shifts our focus from the spiritual to the physical.
- We are to keep proper focus on God’s over-arching plan & keep our spiritual life in order.
- Trust that God will take care of you.
Of course, saying “Don’t worry, be happy” is easier sung than done. We get anxious when things that are otherwise predictable in our life, suddenly become unpredictable. When things are predictable, we feel as if we’re in control. We make plans. We make assumptions. And if things are predictable for too long, we get complacent, take things for granted & begin to feel that we deserve to have things in whatever way affords us the most control. This is likely the reason many people don’t like change. This is also likely the reason some people will settle for less if it is predictable (i.e. addiction to welfare programs) even though something more beneficial is available albeit more uncertain. But the bottom line is that we really aren’t in as much control as we think – even when things have long been predictable.
In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. – Pr 16.9
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. – Pr 19.21
I know, O LORD, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps. – Jer 10.23
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
– Jas 4.13-15
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. – Pr 19.21
I know, O LORD, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps. – Jer 10.23
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
– Jas 4.13-15
God is in control. If you don’t know or trust Him, that’s probably not comforting. But if you do, then you know that since He’s all-knowing, all-powerful, completely just & loving - it really is most appropriate that God is sovereignly in control. The more God’s people recognize that He is in control, the more at ease they will be. When things go awry, we can trust that God is up to something & has a purpose in it that will result in our ultimate spiritual good (Rom 8.28-29) – God is never caught off-guard. We may not necessarily enjoy it or understand it, but God knows what He is doing (Isa 55.8-9).
When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other.
– Eccl 7.14a
In my experience, it seems that the things that accompany worry are confusion – because things are unpredictably different – & fear – because of uncertainty. So check out these verses:
When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other.
– Eccl 7.14a
In my experience, it seems that the things that accompany worry are confusion – because things are unpredictably different – & fear – because of uncertainty. So check out these verses:
For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. – 1 Cor 14.33a
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. – 1 Jn 4.18a
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.
And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” – Rom 8.15
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. – 1 Jn 4.18a
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.
And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” – Rom 8.15
Therefore, we can realize that God isn’t just trying to confuse us & He Himself is not confused. Neither are we to be fearful because, again, God has our ultimate good at heart – even if it’s a matter of painful discipline (Heb 12.5-11 – Though, not all painful situations are discipline – if it is, you will know!). Christians are in a unique & intimate relationship with God, their Heavenly Father, who will lovingly care for them. It is only fitting then that we acknowledge & exercise our dependence on Him, while not forgetting to be thankful. Otherwise, we have reason to be worried (Jas 4.1-3)!
Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you. – 1 Pt 5.7
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. – Php 4.6
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. – Php 4.6
God has ways of taking care of His people. Needs may be emotional, physical, material or spiritual, but God knows how to meet them all - He created us! Whether they are subtle or recognized as miracles, they’re all divine providence. He can:
Dependence on God doesn’t always mean things will be easy, but they’ll be easier than without Him. God is ultimately concerned with your spiritual well-being (Christ-like holiness) & your dependence on Him. Of course, if you aren’t a child of God, He will let you suffer along with as much stuff or control as you can get your hands on (Pr 15.16, Eccl 5.12). However, the things of this world won’t last & they won’t save us from God’s wrath against our sin (Pr 11.4, 18.11, 1 Pt 1.18). Whether we are depending on ourselves, our health, our stuff, our job, our government or anything other than God, He has ways of revealing their brevity & limitations.
- Make things last longer than normal (Dt 8.4).
- Remove things, relationships or situations that encumber you, even if you like them (Isa 31.1-3).
- Supernaturally provide (Mt 14.13-21, 15.32-39).
- Unusually provide (Mt 17.24-27, Lk 5.1-11, Ex 12.36).
- Provide through the generosity of His people (Php 4.14, 16).
Dependence on God doesn’t always mean things will be easy, but they’ll be easier than without Him. God is ultimately concerned with your spiritual well-being (Christ-like holiness) & your dependence on Him. Of course, if you aren’t a child of God, He will let you suffer along with as much stuff or control as you can get your hands on (Pr 15.16, Eccl 5.12). However, the things of this world won’t last & they won’t save us from God’s wrath against our sin (Pr 11.4, 18.11, 1 Pt 1.18). Whether we are depending on ourselves, our health, our stuff, our job, our government or anything other than God, He has ways of revealing their brevity & limitations.
Fear of man will prove to be a snare,
but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe. – Pr 29.25 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. – Ps 20.7 |
Do not put your trust in princes,
in human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God. – Ps 146.3-5 |
As Jesus was having His “last supper” with His disciples before His crucifixion, which was a horrible thing from a human perspective, He told them this:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” – Jn 14.1-4
He once again reinforced what He taught at the beginning: focus on God’s plan. For if He hadn’t endured the cross to pay the penalty for sin, no one would be able to go to heaven. But He did. And for those who believe, nothing on earth compares to gaining heaven (Rom 8.18, 2 Cor 4.16-18, Php 3.7-9). Put your confidence in God & He will prove Himself faithful (Heb 4.16, 1 Jn 5.13-15)! If you can trust Him for eternal life, you can trust Him with your earthly life!
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. – Col 3.1-4
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” – Jn 14.1-4
He once again reinforced what He taught at the beginning: focus on God’s plan. For if He hadn’t endured the cross to pay the penalty for sin, no one would be able to go to heaven. But He did. And for those who believe, nothing on earth compares to gaining heaven (Rom 8.18, 2 Cor 4.16-18, Php 3.7-9). Put your confidence in God & He will prove Himself faithful (Heb 4.16, 1 Jn 5.13-15)! If you can trust Him for eternal life, you can trust Him with your earthly life!
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. – Col 3.1-4