Anxiety + Following Jesus 02 | Theology of Anxiety
Introduction —— Anxiety is a real experience for millions of people, including many who follow Jesus. Amongst Jesus followers, there seems to be a lot of confusion about anxiety. This is due to negative stereotypes that still exist, and an oversimplified biblical understanding of anxiety. I relate to what so many followers of Jesus are feeling. I have processed through seasons of living with severe anxiety. I have heard these negative stereotypes and felt internal confusion. The messaging around anxiety has always seemed too simple for me. It lacked a depth of understanding around the nuances of the human condition. And this is why I feel such a strong calling to help reconstruct a biblical narrative around mental health, including anxiety, that brings clarity, allows for nuance, and let's people know that it is normal and ok to feel human.
Anxiety + Bible —— What does the Bible actually teach about anxiety? Before answering this question, it is important to note that the people who lived through biblical history were normal humans. These individuals were not mythical characters with superhuman powers that prevented them from experiencing and feeling normal human emotions. They lived in a broken world just like us, experienced tragedy and pain just like us, and felt the human condition just like us. This includes the experience of anxiety. Anxiety is both a normal human emotion around anxiety-inducing situations, like stressors, dangers, deadlines, traumatic events, and major life changes; and a condition that can become a persistent experience.
The Term Anxiety —— There is more nuance about anxiety in the Bible than many have been led to believe. The oversimplified and unhelpful teaching that anxiety is always wrong, that followers of Jesus should never feel a healthy and normal amount of anxiety, and that all anxiety is solved through prayer and gratitude does not paint the full picture of anxiety in the Bible.
The primary terms for anxiety in the New Testament are:
(1) μεριμνάω (verb, merimnao), which means to have anxiety, to be concerned, to care for, or to be excessively concerned.
(2) μέριμνα (noun, merimna), which means anxiety, worry, or care.
The basic idea behind these terms is to care for someone or something. Think about someone you love. You have innate and normal human concerns for them. As a parent, you have normal and healthy concerns for your kids. As a spouse, you have normal and healthy concerns for your husband or wife. You care about their safety. You care about their physical health. You care about their mental and emotional health. You care that they flourish in life with all they have been created to accomplish in this world. You care that they feel loved.
As humans, we are influenced by what we care about. Our cares can be normal and healthy. Our cares can also become unhealthy and burdensome. Jesus teaches us how to prioritize our cares, and how to process them in a healthy manner. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said:
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:34)
Jesus acknowledges human reality--we all have burdens and troubles. In fact, each day has troubles. Rather than ruminating on the potential troubles of tomorrow causing us to be paralyzed with anxiety, we should focus on the day at hand and fix our hearts on Jesus and His Kingdom. He will help us carry the burdens and navigate the troubles as they come.
Types of Anxiety —— The are various types of anxiety in the Bible.
First, the Bible teaches that there are normal anxieties/concerns that all humans feel.
"And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches." (2 Corinthians 11:28)
"I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious." (Philippians 2:28)
Sometimes anxiety in the Bible refers to normal human concerns. Every human has healthy concerns. These concerns are natural, and reveal that we care about the life God has given us and the people around us. We would be emotionless and detached if we lived life without healthy human concern.
Paul felt daily concern for all the churches that he planted. He also felt anxious about the state of the church at Philippi. These feelings of anxiety were completely normal, healthy and human.
Second, the Bible teaches that there are unhealthy anxieties or obsessive concerns that can overtake us.
"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." (Philippians 4:6)
"Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down." (Proverbs 12:25)
Sometimes anxiety in the Bible refers to unhealthy and obsessive human concerns. These concerns are rooted in unhealthy patterns of thinking that become all-consuming. Thoughts that are rooted in unhealthy amounts of worry, fear or "what if" scenarios. We could describe this form of anxiety as ruminating on thoughts that enliven anxiety and leave us in a perpetual state of feeling anxious. We feel overtaken, weighed down, or paralyzed by living in a state of perpetual anxiety. Anxiety in this sense correlates with certain anxiety conditions in our modern world that are rooted in thought patterns.
Third, the Bible leaves room for deep suffering and painful experiences that entail feelings of stress and anxiety.
"But Hannah answered, "No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the LORD. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation." (1 Sam. 1:15-16)
Sometimes anxiety in the Bible refers to experiences of deep suffering that entails feelings of stress and anxiety. There are deeply painful experiences in life that lead us down an emotional path that includes the feelings of overwhelming anxiety. This is not a moral experience. This is a human experience.
God Cares about Your Anxiety —— You may wonder what God thinks about our anxiety. What is His orientation toward us when we are struggling with anxious thoughts, obsessive concerns and legitimate worry?
"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." (1 Peter. 5:7)
In Scripture, God is portrayed as a loving Father. He is a loving Father who understand the burdens and stressors we carry. He knows that it is hard to be human. He knows that we walk through complex and painful moments. He knows we have moments of overwhelming anxiety. He knows that we feel normal and momentary anxiety. He also knows that sometimes we cross the line from normal cares to obsessive cares. And he knows that there are various other causes behind anxiety that can burden, overwhelm and wear us down mentally, emotionally and physically.
So how does He respond? He responds as a loving and compassionate Father, and invites us to allow Him to help carry the burdens of life. He does not want us to feel ashamed to openly, honestly and vividly share what we are feeling with Him. He wants to hear about all of our burdens and anxieties.
God knows that certain life experiences can be overwhelming. The weight of life is sometimes too heavy to bear alone. The potential hardships in our present and future can be paralyzing. So God offers to help carry the load of anxieties in your mind and on your heart. You do not have to do this alone.
Your struggle with anxiety is not an indication of the nearness of God or the love of God—He loves you exactly where you are in your struggle.
There Are Better Days Ahead.
Much Love,
Wesley, Founder + Speaker