Emotions, including anxiety, can never be sinful. But beyond knowing that anxiety is not sinful, it can be encouraging to note that God does not require us to achieve anxiety-free status as a prerequisite for sainthood.
The above verses (and others) about anxiety find their home in Hebrews 11:1 and what it tells us about faith. Anxiety in and of itself isn't sinful. Not trusting God is sinful. It's sinful to live as if you need to take care of yourself because you can't trust God to provide.
Paul and Jesus explicitly command us not to be anxious, so to be anxious is a sin. Jesus says: “Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on” (Matthew 6:25).
Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)
“Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus.”
In Philippians 4:6-7, St. Paul said, “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
The bible does not state what causes anxiety, because God considers anxiety to be a crisis of faith. The belief here is that anxiety shows that the person has not yet been able to put full trust in God, because fear itself is something that is meant to be relinquished as every person is meant to be part of God's plan.
As a Christian, don't fight or wrestle with your fears, hand them over to Jesus, moment by moment. Take time to read through Romans 5:1-6 and 1 Peter 1:1-7. Take the opportunity to challenge yourself to grow deeper in your faith.
Harmful Anxiety
High levels of anxiety can cause spiritual impairment as well. When your anxiety is out of control, it is difficult to discern the Spirit's promptings.
We deal with anxiety in many ways: breathing techniques, massage, and physical exercise. But God has given us a remedy that may surprise us: prayer. Philippians 4:6–7 urges: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
The core of believing in God is about trust over every uncertainty and fear in life and so this belief can be used to allow people to stop anxiety.
Dymphna: Patron Saint of Stress, Anxiety and Mental Health. Especially at this time of the year, stress and anxiety may run high for you or someone you love, and St. Dymphna can be a source of inspiration and devotion.
St.
Jane Frances de Chantal, who struggled with anxiety and depression and later became a canonized saint, herself. Francis helped Jane work through her struggles and pursue holiness, and he can do the same for us today — both by his intercession and by his well-known book, Introduction to the Devout Life.
Yes, good Christians can get anxious. All Christians struggle and suffer. It's important to grasp that we were created with nervous systems designed to respond to the trials and traumas of life.
Anxiety disorders are a type of mental health condition. Anxiety makes it difficult to get through your day. Symptoms include feelings of nervousness, panic and fear as well as sweating and a rapid heartbeat. Treatments include medications and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Philippians 4:6
"Don't be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks." The Good News: If you feel anxious, you must let God know about your troubles. He will guide you.
In 2 Corinthians 10:5, the apostle Paul writes: “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” It's by taking every one of your thoughts captive that you can fight off overthinking and find peace of mind.
Anxiety appears when your mind, body and soul are in a state of imbalance; it's your spirit's way of speaking to you and helping you on your life purpose and mission. Anxiety on a spiritual level has the power to transform your life.
How do we send our anxiety to God? First, Conclusively: “cast” refers to “once and for all, throw our burdens to Jesus!” When the worries of life press us down, we do not have to bear them! Thank God, He is willing to carry our load. Thirdly, notice “all your anxiety.” He tells us to give Him everything!
Spiritual practices like prayer or meditation can help you quiet the mind and focus on the present so you can let go of the negative chatter that's fueling your anxiety. You'll feel a sense of purpose. Cultivating your spirituality can help you uncover what's most important in your life.
Anxiety becomes problematic when it is unexpectedly severe or lasts longer than anticipated after a stressful situation has ended, causes very marked personal upset, or causes someone to be unable to cope with everyday challenges.
Occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. Many people worry about things such as health, money, or family problems. But anxiety disorders involve more than temporary worry or fear. For people with an anxiety disorder, the anxiety does not go away and can get worse over time.
The Connection with Prayer
So 1 Peter 5:7 says, "Cast your anxiety on God by trusting that he cares for you." And Philippians 4:6 says, "Cast your anxiety on the Lord by praying and letting your requests be made known to him." The connection is simple. Trusting that God cares about your anxiety is expressed in prayer.
God can heal us from anything, even anxiety.
Nothing is impossible for Him (Luke 1:37).
Overall, 61% of clergy stated that they sometimes or frequently provide ongoing support for individuals with mental health issues, the most common being for anxiety and depression. However, on average, 39% of clergy stated that they never or rarely provide ongoing support for individuals with mental health issues.
St. Dymphna is recognized as a patron for those suffering from mental illnesses including stress, anxiety, depression, ADHD and bipolar disorder.