In this study, we will try to see what the word of God teaches us about fear, anxiety and worry, and how to deal with all the negativity that comes from these things. To worry about things in life, has always been a human characteristic, and it is very evident in most peoples’ lives. It leads to stress, anxiety, and all sorts of negativity. People are worried for their well being, for their education, for problems they may have at home, etc. and it is not easy to stop a habit that has been there with us since childhood.
Again we have to look into the Word of God, to find out what God teaches us about worry. In the gospel of Mark we read:
Mark 4:36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
Mark 4:37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
Mark 4:38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
Mark 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Mark 4:40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
Mark 4:41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
We see here that the fear of the disciples for their lives, was great. It has always been one of the most fundamental human fears. But we see on verse 40, what Jesus said to the disciples about fear. He made a clear connection between fear, and lack of faith. When one trusts God about his or her safety and well being, there should be no fear. Fear, like all negative things, comes from the devil, not from God. Not to be afraid, demands for complete faith in the ability of God to protect you, and this kind of faith is not easy to manifest. Still, it is this kind of faith that can guarantee a believer’s protection. When we are fearful, we become extremely vulnerable, and ultimately an easy target to the tricks of the devil.
In the epistle of Hebrews we read about God’s commitment towards us. There we read:
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Hebrews 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
It is clear from this verse, that God is our helper. This is God’s commitment towards us, that He will always stay by our side, and never forsake us. God never falls back on His word. This is the best insurance policy anyone can have !
It is important for us to understand that God loves us, in order to fight our fears. In the first epistle to John, we read:
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.
There is no fear in love. God loves us perfectly. When we become saved, when we receive holy spirit, we are born again. This is the true birth that really counts. We become new men, and it is up to us to abolish our old ways, the ways of the old person that we were before. We have a new self, and we must not fear for anything, because God loves us as his sons and daughters. GOD LOVES US PERFECTLY. If we allow for the fear and the anxiety to creep in, it is a manifestation of luck of trust to His perfect love.
(If you require information on the issue of how to be saved, please visit the page of my friend Tassos. His studies cover this and other matters extensively. His link is in my main page).
The whole of Psalm 46, is a great reference to the protection that God gives to the ones who trust him. Whenever doubt or discouragement come into my heart, this chapter is a great refuge to regain confidence. But the most clear manifestation of God’s commitment, comes from Jesus himself as we see at the gospel of Matthew:
Matthew 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Matthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Matthew 6:27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
Matthew 6:28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
Matthew 6:29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Matthew 6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Matthew 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Matthew 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
It is very clear here. As we see on verse 32, God knows our needs, and when we believe in him he will cover them all. Many people mistake these verses, and they think that a believer can be passive, and still get all he needs to survive from God. However, this is a big misunderstanding. God never asks us to be lazy or passive and everything will come ready ! The meaning of these verses, is primarily not to have fear about tomorrow, not to suffer from anxiety and stress about what we’re going to eat or drink or how we’re going to survive tomorrow. Again here we see that Jesus refers to people that worry about things, as people of little faith (verse 30). What God teaches us through these verses, is that the needs of tomorrow will be covered by God tomorrow. No need to get anxious about it today. Instead, what we need to look forward to, is ‘the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you’ (verse 33). Furthermore:
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
The phrase ‘Be careful for nothing’ in the first verse, doesn’t mean to be completely careless and reckless !! The word ‘careful’ here, is a translation of the Greek word ‘mereemno’ in the original text. This word is translated in English as either ‘care’ or ‘worry’. On this occasion, it is clear that God’s instruction to us is not to worry about anything. Instead, we should be thankful with prayer to God, and then ‘let your requests be made known unto God’ (verse 7).
There are a lot more references both in the Old and in the New Testament regarding fear, worry and anxiety. The conclusion from this small study is to show that for all believers, faith to God and trust in him is all that matters for peace of mind. Each believer is different, and each one has a different relationship with God. God respects our individuality, and this individuality is what makes each person’s fellowship with God so unique in comparison with another person.
For as long as believers approach the Word of God with respect, learn from it, and apply its principals into their lives, for as long as they don’t get worried thinking how their needs will be covered, but instead have trust in God and His promise that He will cover all needs, then they have to fear nothing no more. Jesus Christ underwent the ultimate sacrifice, in order for believers of all time periods, to be able to have holy spirit in them, in order for all people to have access to eternal life if they choose so. Thanks to Jesus’ sacrifice we are righteous in the eyes of God. And for the righteous, fear is not an option. Thank you for reading this.
Tasos