When we talk about anxiety, we are talking about an issue that impacts a lot of people. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, over 40 million people are affected by anxiety. That’s almost 20% of the nation’s population. That’s a big deal.
One takeaway for me personally is that I must go out of my way to express compassion and sympathy to those struggling with anxiety. It is likely that one in five people reading this struggles with anxiety on a daily basis. Having talked to a number of people in my congregation and even in my community, I know that, for some, that anxiety is nearly debilitating. So please hear me when I say this: not all anxiety is rooted in a lack of spiritual or emotional health. There is a physiological component to anxiety that must be explored and addressed with the proper care.
I also want to say, if you are struggling with anxiety: you are not alone. There are others who know what you are going through. And at GBC, we want to create a safe environment where you can voice your burdens and find a church family that will continue to love and support you. It’s ok to admit that you are not ok. In fact, the reason our church launched a Mood Disorders Support Group years ago was because we wanted people in our church and community to know that we care enough to come alongside and offer Christ-like love. If you want more information about this group, you can find it here.
Our fighter verse this week says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6). What do we do with this verse in light of what I just said?
We need to understand that although the causes of anxiety may be complex, there are still effective ways to manage and treat anxiety. Even mental health professionals offer various ways to treat anxiety like talk therapy, coping strategies, meditation, medicine, etc. When we turn to the Bible for guidance, we must remember we are hearing from the One who designed us and knows us better than we know ourselves (Psalm 139:13). The God who created you is the God who knows how to care for you.
According to God, one of the primary antidotes to anxiety is prayer. Prayer is not a passive response to anxiety, but an active way to reorient our minds and hearts toward God. When we take our burdens to the throne of the Lord, we remember that we have a loving Father who cares about every detail of our lives. Jesus tells us that God takes care of every single bird and plant (Matthew 6:26). Jesus’ point is that you matter to God infinitely more than the birds. You are created in his image. When you pray, you are entrusting yourself to a wise heavenly Father who has proven his love for you in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Prayer is certainly not a magic bullet against anxiety. But, prayer is a significant part of God’s prescription for combatting anxiety in our lives. When we lay our burdens at God’s feet, we then have to act by faith in leaving those burdens there. Christian, I encourage you to plead with God today about whatever is weighing on you. Keep asking, keep knocking, and keep trusting (Matthew 7:7). And keep remembering that the God who loves you enough to take care of your greatest need, salvation, is the same God who loves you enough to sustain you through every other need in life. All the while, we keep our eyes fixed on the promise that because our citizenship is in heaven, Jesus will come back and transform these broken bodies into glorious new bodies. This is our hope in the midst of anxiety.
