Is Feeling Anxious a Sin? What Scripture Really Teaches About Worry

Is Anxiety a Sin?

One of the most common verses used for anxiety is in Philippians 4:6. It is a command to “not be anxious” but in context, it is not one condemning worrying, but rather giving the Philippian church a proactive approach for how to handle habitual worrying. Instead of dwelling on the thing one is worrying about and how it brings anxiety, Paul says to shift your perspective from cycles of worry to that of prayer and thanksgiving. Prayer recognizes our dependency on God and helps us to foster a relationship with him. Paul is not telling the Philippian church to bury their anxiety and worry, but instead to make Christ their dwelling place. Recognizing that Christ is dwelling with his people brings comfort and helps empower believers to face life’s uncertainty with confidence as they find their dwelling place with God. Many heroes of the Bible struggled with anxiety and worry, yet they are not reprimanded.

•  Elijah is so overwhelmed in 1 Kings 19 that he asks God to end his life. God, instead of reprimanding him, responds with rest, food, and gentleness. God does not give him a lecture but meets him in his anxiety. 
• David in Psalms 13 and 42, wrestles with intense despair and intrusive thoughts. Yet, God does not reprimand him but instead becomes his dwelling place. 
• Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane in Luke 22:44 is filled with so much distress, worry, and anxiety that he sweats blood. God does not reprimand him but instead meets him in his distress and comforts him. Jesus felt this deep emotional agony and distress without crossing into sin as feeling emotional heaviness is fully human and not a sin.

From these Biblical characters we can see that godly leaders, and even Jesus himself, felt deep distress and anxiety. Just because a person feels anxious does not mean they are a failure or “lack faith.” Feeling anxious is a natural human response and the problem is not that we feel anxiety, the true problem stems in what one chooses to do with anxiety. 

4 Biblical Strategies for Managing Anxiety

1. Recognize the Anxiety Then Reframe it
   • Psalms 62:8 “Pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge”
   • God does not want us to mask or hide how we feel. God can handle our rawest complaints, panics, fears, and insecurities. We must learn to practice lament by bringing our exact fears to God without polite filters. Be honest when you approach God and he becomes our refuge when we are completely honest. 
2. Shift from fear to truth
   • Philippians 4:8 “Whatever is true, whatever is noble….. think about such things.”
   • This is written just a few short verses after not being anxious which helps us in our anxiety. In many cases, though not all, anxiety thrives in potential future scenarios as our minds go to the worst possibilities. Paul encourages the Philippian church to anchor their thoughts in the present, objective truth. We anchor our thoughts on what God has promised and what is true right now. The truth is, God is with you and will never leave you or forsake you. He wants to be your refuge and place of strength and nothing you have done or could do will separate you from the love of Christ. Instead of focusing on the anxiety and worst case scenarios, focus on the truth and God’s presence with you. 
3. Trade Anxiety for Prayer and Thanksgiving.
   • 1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
   • “Casting” is an active physical metaphor. When those intrusive thoughts hit we should write them down and trade it for something else. Specifically, Philippians 4 says to trade it for thanksgiving so write down something you are grateful for. This helps us to trade our anxiety and pick up the truth of what God is doing and continuing to do in our life. 
4. Practice Rest
   • Psalm 127:2 “in vain you rise early and stay up late…. For he grants sleep to those he loves.”
   • The body and spirit are importantly connected. Sometimes, to handle anxiety we need to get some good sleep, eat, or even exercise. Elijah needed a nap and some food and that worked for his situation. Sometimes we actually need to seek a Christian counselor or medical assistance as that is the most faithful response to anxiety as the body and spirit are intertwined. 

Conclusion

Anxiety is a natural human response. Some people suffer from chronic anxiety and healing is a process, not an instant switch. Every Christian faces anxiety and working through that anxiety is a lifelong endeavor as we find our refuge in Christ. God walks alongside us in the valley and we must learn to walk through the valley with him instead of merely waiting for the exit. My prayer for you is what Jesus says to his disciples in John 14:27 “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.”