Life is demanding. And it seems like there is pressure everywhere we turn. We have deadlines at work, relational stresses, and financial strains. We struggle with our health, and we have so many commitments to balance. We have no free time, we worry that we aren’t good enough, and we face an uncertain future.
We live with so much stress in the modern world that we often forget that an anxiety-free life is possible. But Christians do not have to face their anxieties alone. The Bible not only provides comfort for those who are anxious, but it also outlines the true remedy for it. Here are six important passages about anxiety and what Christians should do about it.
Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
God gives strength to the fearful. He is a good God, and He has control over our lives. Having God’s assured presence should bring us comfort. He has not left us alone, and He has not abandoned us. But more than just being present, He has promised to grant strength, extend help, and hold us up. Trusting in God to work out the details takes the pressure off us. We don’t have to have all of the answers, but we can trust in the One who does.
First Peter 5:7 “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
God gladly receives the burdens of our hearts. When we are anxious, God invites us to throw our anxieties off ourselves and onto Him. He loves us, and He wants the best for us. But He didn’t create us to feel anxious. His design was never to have us worry about taking care of ourselves. He designed us to be dependent on Him and to trust in His care and protection. By handing our anxieties over to Him, we demonstrate our trust in Him.
Matthew 5:31, 33-34 “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ … But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
God cares about our cares. God knows that we worry about our needs of food, water, and clothing. He knows each and every one of the anxieties that occupies our hearts and minds. And He doesn’t take our worries lightly. But He promises that when we seek Him and pursue His ways, we will have everything we need to bring Him the most glory.
God promises to give us everything we need! When we learn to rest in that promise, we can let go of our worries. We no longer have to allow our minds to drift to the past or the future, which are the only two places where worries actually exist. Instead, we can live in the present. And we get to be worry free.
Psalm 94:19 “When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.”
God is the source of our cheer. God knows that letting go of anxieties is hard. We have a lot on our minds, and we desire everything to work out for good for ourselves and those around us. And there is nothing wrong with that desire. Yet though the troubles are many, the Bible tells us they don’t have to lead us to depression. And they don’t have to take our joy.
God comforts us and brings us delight! When thoughts of torment abound, we get to hope in His promises. We know of His abounding love for us. We are certain that He is bringing about His plan. We rejoice in our redemption. We trust in His goodness and mercy. And we long for the day of glory. The troubles of this day are temporary and fading. And one day they will disappear for good.
Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, 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 understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
God offers an alternative to being anxious. He instructs believers to pray with a heart of gratitude. Prayer aligns our hearts to His will. And thanksgiving allows us to see how much we have to help us exercise contentment for what the Lord has already done in our lives. When we pray, we release our anxieties to God and ask Him to deal with them as He sees best. And as we give our worries to Him, He grants us peace. He has everything under control, and He is pleased when we place our trust in Him
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
Jesus not only grants peace, but He is Peace. The world tries to give us peace by distracting us. But Jesus gives us peace by instructing us to focus on Him. Jesus wants to reign in our hearts. He is aware of the abounding troubles of this world, but His peace overcomes them all. And when we choose to focus on Him, we are choosing peace. There is no room for peace and anxieties to rule in our hearts. By inviting Jesus into our lives, we are sending anxieties on their way.
The Bible recognizes that this world is full of troubles. But it invites Christians to let go of their anxieties and to trust in the God who has everything under control. God is bigger than our worries, stronger than our fears, and serves as the remedy of peace for all our anxieties.