Chat: What’s your understanding of what the Bible says about being anxious?
(1) Popular Verses on Anxiety
Luke 12:22-29
22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life… 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? …why are you anxious about the rest? 28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!
Luke 10:41
40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
Philippians 4:6
6 Do not be anxious about anything.
Common conclusion on how God perceives Anxiety?
(2) Other Verses on Anxiety
Chat: How do these verses add to your biblical understanding of Anxiety?
Philippians 2:20
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned (merimnaō) for your welfare.
1 Corinthians 12:25
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” … But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care (merimnaō) for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
1 Corinthians 7:32-34
32 I want you to be free from anxieties (merimnaō). The unmarried man is anxious (merimnaō) about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. 33 But the married man is anxious (merimnaō)about worldly things, how to please his wife, 34 and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious (merimnaō) about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious (merimnaō) about worldly things, how to please her husband.
2 Corinthians 11:26-28
26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety (merimnaō) for all the churches.
What would be a more biblically wholistic understanding of Anxiety?
(3) Revisit Popular Verses
Chat: How does the context of these verses add depth to ‘do not be anxious‘?
Philippians 4:4-9
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 From now on, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Luke 12:22-32
22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them 31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
(4) More Verses on Anxiety
Chat: How else does God engage His people in their anxiety, speaking into their troubles?
1 Peter 5:6-7
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Matthew 6:34
34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for today is its own trouble. (cf. Exodus 16)
Matthew 14:24-27
24 the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
Psalms
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. (56:3)
When anxiety multiplies within me, your comfort delights my soul. (94:19)
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (23:4)
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (46:1)
The Lord is near to all who call on him. (145:18)
Hebrews 4:15-16
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Romans 8:28
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Note: This is not an attempt to ‘proof-text’, but an attempt to consolidate and build a biblical-theological framework to reflect on Anxiety.