Some Words on Anxiety

I have been thinking lately about anxiety. You know what the Apostle Paul said about anxiety, right?

And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure upon me of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?

2 Corinthians 11:28–29 (RSV)

That’s right; he felt the pressure, just like you do. You want people to choose love and faith and generosity, rather than indifference and fear and envy. You long to see Christ formed in them. And in these pandemic times, you can’t see them in person to encourage them, or hold their hands while you pray for them. Paul knew about that, too.

Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.

1 Thessalonians 3:10–12 (NIV 1984)

Is anxiety good then?

Well, it’s not really recommended. Another famous writing of Paul tells us not to worry about anything, but to pray about everything (Philippians 4:6–7). And the Lord Jesus himself told us,

So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:31–33 (NIV 1984)

I’ll add a pastoral word here: Paul the Apostle himself was at times beset by anxiety, so he is not scolding us, wagging a finger as he lectures us about worry. Neither is the Lord Jesus assuming a punitive posture in this extract from the Sermon on the Mount. Rather, his attitude is more like this father, coaxing his child to take a first step:

This is the same Jesus who said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28–30)

That invitation from our Lord is intended for everyone who is weary and burdened, for those “in ministry” and for those who don’t think of themselves that way. In other words, it’s for you and me.

So let us come to him, let us take another step to him. That, more than any of our accomplishments or possessions, is what pleases him, and what brings us life and peace.