If you’re feeling anxiety over your health, family, finances, or work, you’re not alone. Anxiety is a reality of living in a broken world. Yet the Bible tells us “Do not be afraid” 365 times. Knowing this, we may feel shame, or wonder if anxiety indicates sin or a lack of faith.
Thankfully, we can take comfort in knowing how God designed us and how much God loves us. God, in his infinite wisdom, designed our brains to feel fear to alert us to danger. So anxiety is just our body’s natural fight-or-flight response trying to get our attention and help us find safety. Instead of feeling shame over how our brains work, we can view anxiety as an opportunity to stop and give our burdens to the Lord, trusting that “He will care for [us]” (Psalm 55:22 NLT).
We can also find comfort in Jesus’ example. Jesus Himself felt deep agony (Luke 22:44), yet it was not a sign of fear or a lack of faith, because He loved God perfectly and was without sin (1 Peter 2:22). When Jesus experienced anxiety, He took it to the Lord in prayer and moved forward in obedience, and we can too.
John 16:33 tells us, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (NLT). It is encouraging to know that God sent His Son to give us victory over anxiety and the trials of life. Any time anxiety comes up, we can ask God to replace our anxious thoughts with His peace and remind ourselves that God promises to never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
If you’re feeling anxious, we invite you to pray this simple prayer:
God, I’m overwhelmed with anxiety, but I’m choosing to leave my fear at Your feet. Please give me the peace that surpasses all understanding and help me guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Please give me strength, help me renew my mind, and be free from fear. Amen.
