Anxiety and the Bible

QUESTION: How can anxiety and God wage battle within us?

ANSWER:

The Bible records instances of anxiety attacks. The prophet, Elijah, battled severe anxiety: “. . . I have had enough, Lord . . . take my life; I am no better than my ancestors” (1 Kings 19:4). Psalm 22:1–18 records David’s emotional battle concerning possible death at the hands of inhuman enemies: “I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people.”

Our enemy, Satan, uses Distraction, Discouragement, and Doubt to “steal, kill, and destroy” God’s assurance of peace and joy. Circumstances may distract us from what God promised us in the Bible. Next, we become discouraged, viewing our problems through mortal eyes, forgetting God’s perspective. Finally, we begin to doubt God’s love, allowing anxiety to wage battle in our lives.

King Jehoshaphat, realized his army lacked the power to battle the Edomite army. They didn’t know what to do (2 Chronicles 20:12). Instead of surrendering to anxiety, Jehoshaphat prayed and God responded: “. . . This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s’” (2 Chronicles 20:15). Like soldiers assigned to defend a certain area, God’s peace never fails to guard our hearts and minds through His Son, Jesus Christ (Philippians 4:5–7).