Can Christians Have Anxiety?

God tells us repeatedly that He is with us, He will not leave us alone, and we can find rest and peace in Him.

He tells us this so we understand that what we fear might indeed hurt our earthly bodies and even kill us, but we are to understand He is mightier than those fears. In Him, we have eternal life and true salvation in a heavenly kingdom that lasts far beyond what we can imagine here on earth.

He tells us this not to shame us for feeling frightened, but to offer hope about what is to come so we understand this life is not the end.

As Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:28-29, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.”

While anxiety as an emotion or a brain disorder is not a sin, there are some times when anxiety can be a sin, such as when anxiety is more about our worries and a blatant refusal to trust God—that is, making the fear an idol that is more powerful in our mind than God is.

God clearly wants us to trust Him and know He is almighty and in control. While evils may lurk all around, He has the upper hand and, in Him, we are triumphant.

Here are a few Bible verses among hundreds throughout Scripture that offer hope about anxiety:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” (Matthew 6:25).

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).

“The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Psalm 118:6).

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

Do you have a favorite verse about anxiety? If not, pray on these above, and see if the Lord is speaking into your heart about anxiety and how He can help us through it.

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Photo credit: Unsplash/Joice Kelly

Jessica Brodie is an award-winning Christian novelist, journalist, editor, blogger, and writing coach. She is also the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism. Her Christian contemporary novel, The Memory Garden, released this spring and has been in the top ten Christian women’s fiction and Christian contemporary books on Amazon; book two in the series releases this fall. Learn more about Jessica’s writing ministry and read her faith blog at https://jessicabrodie.com. She has a YouTube devotional, and you can also connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and more. She’s also produced a free eBook, A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices When You’re Feeling Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed.