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“The Nuances of Anxiety: A Full New Testament Perspective”
Categories: Bulletin Articles, Clay Gentry
Have you ever heard a sermon on worry and anxiety that left you feeling—well, more worried and anxious? You’re not alone. Far too often, Christian teachings on anxiety and worry miss the mark and actually make matters worse. I know it contradicts what we often hear, but Christians shouldn’t strive for a worry-free life. Let me explain why.
The words “worry” and “anxiety” are often treated as inherently negative in far too many lessons, but their meaning is more nuanced. Anxiety, worry, and we’ll include concern are neutral emotions; they are neither good nor bad. Unfortunately, the application of anxiety and worry has narrowed to encompass only negative emotions. This semantic shift, called pejoration, where a word’s neutral meaning becomes more negative over time, has led to a skewed understanding of these concepts in many Christian circles. The act of caring deeply or being concerned – which these words represent – is not inherently wrong. The problem arises not from the feeling itself but from the object of our anxiety.
Nevertheless, sermons on worry and anxiety frequently focus solely on overcoming these feelings, often citing Matthew 6:25-34, Philippians 4:6-7, and 1 Peter 5:7. While these passages offer valuable guidance, they present only part of the picture – a negative one at best.
It might surprise you to hear that the scripture actually offers examples where “anxiety” and its related concepts are viewed positively as something Christians should feel.
In Philippians 2:19-20, Paul commended Timothy for being “genuinely concerned” for the Philippians (using the same root word as “anxiety” in Philippians 4:6). This raises a crucial question: if Philippians 4:6 truly forbids all anxiety (as some make it out to say), why praise Timothy for his anxiety for the Philippians? I believe this suggests that Philippians 4:6 addresses anxiety related to something else altogether and not general concerns (a topic we’ll cover in a future article).
Similarly, in 2 Corinthians 11:28 Paul boasts about the things he suffered for Christ: shipwrecks, beatings, etc., with the capstone being “apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.” This wasn’t a negative emotion to overcome but rather a deep, godly concern for their well-being. If all anxiety is bad, then how could he use his anxiety for the churches as a badge of honor?
Furthermore, 1 Corinthians 12:25 provides another important example. In discussing the body of Christ, Paul exhorted believers to have “the same care” for one another. This “care” uses the same root word as “anxiety” and highlights the importance of mutual concern within the church community. Paul isn’t suggesting we should live a worry-free life; rather, he emphasizes the necessity of caring deeply (or being anxious) for the well-being of fellow Christians.
Finally, 1 Corinthians 7:32-34 discusses the advantages of being unmarried, noting that the unmarried person is “anxious about the things of the Lord.” This “anxiety” reflects a focused concern and dedication to God’s work. Paul then contrasts this with the married person’s divided interests, needing to be “anxious” (concerned) about pleasing their spouse and anxious for the Lord. This isn’t condemned; it’s presented as a natural consequence of marriage.
These examples demonstrate that biblical “anxiety” can encompass positive concern and care. The problem with the limited application of many sermons is that they seem to paint any concern – for a sick spouse, a struggling friend, or a child’s safety – as inherently wrong. This not only creates unnecessary guilt but also neglects the full counsel of God. A balanced approach acknowledges both the dangers of excessive worry and the importance of healthy concern and care for others and the things of God. True spiritual maturity involves discerning between these two and directing our anxieties appropriately.
