Anxiety: Facing Anxiety With Faith

Daniel Burton Blog Daniel Burton October 16, 2017 | 0

by Daniel Burton

Anxiety seems to be plaguing the world we live in today. Everyone seems to be anxious over something. Whether it be something small like an outcome on a test or school assignment, to the more larger issues, like geo-political stability and personal identity, we all face some sort of anxiety. Often times, people just tell us to “snap out of it,” but this advice often falls flat as it ignores the root cause of the anxiety. Deep down, we are tormented by a thought or fear. From that insecurity springs anxiety.

Furthermore, I have seen people, specifically of the millennial generation and younger be blamed for having high levels of anxiety while the worlds problems seemed to be heaped on a generation. The pressure to perform and “be good enough” for the world while having our life together makes it difficult to work through any fear or indecision. There is a general lack of peace that is waltzing through a generation that can only be eased by the Prince of Peace himself.

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”

– ‭‭‬‬Philippians 4:4-7, NIV

In the final address to the church in Philippi, Paul addresses the issue of peace and anxiety. We should not downplay anxiety or the things that people are going through. Even if we feel as though the person is anxious about too many things, pretending the problem isn’t there is not a valid solution. The cure to anxiety resides in what the person is concentrating on. With the constant barrage of 24/7 news coverage that puts a magnifying glass over the worst of humanity, now more than ever is the time to look to God for the comfort of our anxiety. Thus, as Paul writes to the church in Philippi to not be anxious, he does so with the solution of setting our attention on Christ.

Christ Reigns Victorious Over Anxiety

At no point does scripture claim that the feelings of anxiety you are going through are fabricated or that you should just simply “get over it. The anxiety is real stemming from a challenge of faith in the sovereign God. Yet, God did not send His Son to condemn humanity for its lack of faith but to move despite that same lack of faith. God knows we fail time and time again to meet the requirements of faith, righteousness, and holiness. God knows thats we struggle with fear of the unknown and the events rapidly unfolding in the world. Yet, despite all the things this world hurls at us, Jesus gives us the comfort and encouragement that is His victory. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33, NIV

Our anxiety will never subside until we look intently at our creator who reigns supreme. Click To Tweet

Our anxiety will never subside until we look intently at our creator who reigns supreme. Christ is victorious. Through any circumstance and situation, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ on the cross showed the world that God alone is able to heal any wounds, any hurts, and any anxiety. There is no circumstance in which God has not sufficiently proved that He is supreme. This is the core of the message Paul brought to the church in Philippi. Anything we may be anxious about can not compare with the richness and fullness of the victory of Jesus Christ.

Faith Built In Community

At the opposite end of anxiety is faith. Anxiety struggles with the uncertainty of the future and the fear of safety in the world. Faith stands on a firm foundation of security the already Jesus Christ has already conquered all things. Faith believes were anxiety worries. Yet, it is vital to note that faith was never meant to be lived out in a vacuum. Faith should be lived out in community with one another. When we face anxiety and weakness, we can be there for another one. Strength can be borrowed and our brothers and sisters can be upheld by one another. The faith of one can encourage the faith of another.

As we walk with one another through anxiety and encourage one another to continue to pursue God, we will all become stronger for it. Click To Tweet

Are you facing anxiety? Bring it to your believers in the faith. Are you supporting someone with anxiety? Link arms together and chase God with one another. Anxiety is not a place you should stay but a place you should depart for peace that comes from Jesus Christ. As we walk with one another through anxiety and encourage one another to continue to pursue God, we will all become stronger for it. “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?” Ecclesiastes 4:10-12, NIV In the face of a unified body of Christ, all pursuing the presence of God, anxiety will be unable to lay hold of our emotional well being.