The world is on edge – again. If you’ve been feeling anxious lately, I understand. If your anxiety has been dismissed with trite responses, I can relate. Sometimes fear is pitted against faith as if they were bitter rivals, leaving believers who struggle with fear and anxiety to feel judged, shamed, or misunderstood. 

But there is nothing wrong with feeling anxious.  

Anxiety is our body’s natural response to danger, perceived threat, and future uncertainty. It’s human nature to feel worried and scared. 

The Bible doesn’t condemn those who are anxious. Instead, it assumes we will all struggle with it because this world is full of trouble. Even Jesus, when faced with certain death, experienced such intense anxiety and stress that it caused him to sweat blood. 

When anxiety rises, God personally understands the challenges of living in this world. What matters most is not whether we are anxious but how we respond when we are anxious. 

The biblical word for anxiety (merimnaō) is used seventeen times in the New Testament. It paints a picture of a mind divided against itself, like a kingdom in conflict with many factions (Matt 12:25). Left unchecked, anxiety becomes a harmful cycle that robs us of peace and makes us unfruitful in troubled times. 

But anxiety also provides us with an opportunity. 

That same word for anxiety is also used in the Bible to describe a deep care or concern. Paul uses this word when he talks about being concerned for other believers, concerned about the things of the Lord, and concerned about the things of this world (Phil 2:20; 1 Cor 7:32-33).  

It’s human nature to be concerned about many things. Even Martha was upset and worried about many things, but rather than rebuke her, Jesus gently called attention to the order of her concerns (Luke 10:41-42). 

Anxiety reveals what we care about most. What we worry about is deeply tied to something that truly matters to us. When I worry about world events, it’s because I value safety. Worrying about my health reveals my desire for beauty and strength. When I worry about what people think of me, it exposes my desire for acceptance. Where our treasure (value) is, there our heart (and worries) will be also (Matt 6:21). Anxious moments provide us with an opportunity for reflection and to identify what we care about in this world. 

It also gives us an opportunity to bring those cares to the One who cares for us. In 1 Peter 5:7, the biblical word for anxiety is used twice in one verse:  

“Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you.”  

Though we are concerned about many things, God is concerned for us. He is not mad when we suffer or struggle. Instead, he wants us to come to Him when we are worried and scared (Matt 11:28). When His children are anxious, God draws near. Like a loving parent, He comforts and reassures us with Himself.  

Anxiety reveals what we depend on to keep us safe. When my job, health, relationships, reputation, country, or future is in jeopardy, it will expose what I’ve been putting my trust in.  

When Jesus says, “Do not be anxious about your life” (Matt 6:25-34) it’s a summary statement rather than a starting point. It’s the conclusion of a long exposition on the active care and sovereignty of God.  

When I feel out of control in a chaotic world, it helps to remember the One who holds the world in His hands.  

God doesn’t want us to handle everything on our own. We don’t have to be strong, capable, and in control because we have a God who is all these things and more. His presence, power, and provision are available to all who come to Him. 

Anxiety reveals who we turn to for help. When I’m worried and overwhelmed, how I respond in that moment divulges where I think my strength lies.  

If I’m honest, the first person I turn to for help is myself. Just me, myself, and I - going over all my troubles – over and over again.  

Worry is when I talk to myself about my problems. Prayer is when I talk to God about my problems. And there’s a difference.  

When I ruminate about my problems, nothing gets resolved. It makes me feel like I’m taking action when in reality, I’m not. But I have a powerful, action-oriented King who will hear every concern, problem, and cry. And with every resource at His disposal, He’s the one who can truly do something when I can’t. 

Paul encourages us to turn our worries into prayers: 

“...the Lord is near. 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” (Phil 4:6-7). 

Too often we pray so that God will fix our problems and take our pain away. And while there’s nothing wrong with wanting to feel better, God wants so much more for us than that. 

God is not a means to an end; He is the end. He wants to calm us with his nearness so we can know Him in a deeper, more personal way. He wants to heal and transform us from the inside out. He wants us to experience the kind of power and peace He gives so that we can face any circumstance, come what may. 

Instead of riding the roller coaster of what-ifs, I can share my struggles with God when I feel anxious. I can tell Him about my worst fears. I can call on Him to intervene. I can turn my worries into prayers because I know that the most powerful person in the universe cares for me.  

God knows how to comfort the anxious because He’s been there. The comfort He gives is not a temporary relief but a continuous strengthening and sustaining in the midst of uncertain circumstances (2 Cor 1). When you feel anxious, take inventory of your concerns and where your trust lies. See it as an opportunity to remember God, rely on His strength, and engage with Him in prayer. And He will guard your divided mind, giving you peace and assurance as you trust in Him.  

Reflection Questions:  

1. What do your anxious thoughts sound like? Are these thoughts true or only partially true? How are these thoughts affecting your body and emotions?  

2. What would be a more helpful thought that would help you move forward?   

3. What is within your control? What actions can you take to improve your situation or relieve internal distress?  

4. What would it look like to imagine God in the future scenario you’re worried about? 

5. How can you reframe your thoughts and concerns in a way that reflects God's sovereignty?