Fear and Anxiety in the Bible

One of the most famous lines throughout all of the Scriptures is the phrase, “do not be afraid.” This is one of the most common commands given through the Old and New Testament. With that being said, many Christians believe fear is incompatible with the Christian life. Or in other words, to be a good Christian, you can’t be afraid.

In a country where almost 20% of the population is wrestling with an anxiety disorder, this command is a difficult one to swallow. You may be asking yourself if your battle with anxiety is sinful?

That is a valid question. Many fundamental Christians will tell you that yes, your anxiety is a lack of faith and therefore sinful. And while that is partially true, it’s reductionistic and does little to help you process your anxiety disorder in a healthy way. Instead, it is more helpful to turn to the Scriptures in context to find out what the Bible means when it says, “do not be afraid.”

Fear and Anxiety in the Bible

It is a universal human tendency to worry. People experience anxiety to a greater or lesser degree, but everyone has felt it about something. It’s natural to be concerned about the things you care about. Whether it’s a grade on a test, waiting to hear back on a serious diagnosis, or the pause before your significant other says “I love you” back, everyone has experienced fear or anxiety at some point in their life.

This explains the frequency with which we find mention of fear and anxiety in the Bible. God knows that this is a human condition and recognizes a relationship with him should change what and how we experience fear.

What is Fear?

Fear is an unpleasant emotion elicited by a perceived threat or danger. As a human, you don’t have direct control over your emotions. You cannot make yourself feel something, but you do have the choice of how you respond to your emotions. This seems to be the same train of thought that Scripture takes. Consider these examples:

Is Fear Bad?

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. – Joshua 1:9

This is the John 3:16 of verses on fear in the Bible. It is put on bookmarks, coffee mugs, inspirational wall art, and much, much more. Whenever someone mentions fear or anxiety in a small group, it is almost obligatory for someone to quote this at them.

While such actions are well-intentioned, they aren’t particularly helpful, especially since we aren’t in the situation Joshua was in. There are important truths in this passage for Christians today like how it is important to trust in God and walk forward knowing he is in control. But to interpret this as fear equals something you should never experience is not correct.

In the context, Joshua is becoming hesitant about entering the promised land and going to war for their country. This all comes on the heels of forty years of wandering in the wilderness because of a failure of courage in this very same situation forty years prior.

The first time the spies returned they were filled with fear and doubt God, leading to discouragement and inaction when it came to God’s promise, which eventually resulted in the wandering. In this passage, God is hearkening back to what has already happened and reminding Joshua of his calling to lead Israel into the Promised Land.

This is not a discussion about general fear about warfare, life, or even God’s overall faithfulness, but it specifically refers to fear and doubt regarding God’s ability to deliver Israel the Promised Land. Applying this passage broadly and out of context is partially why many Christians believe any sort of fear and anxiety is sinful and needs to be suppressed at all costs.

Jesus and Anxiety in the Bible

Having addressed one of the most significant and misunderstood texts on fear and anxiety in the Bible, consider Jesus and anxiety. If anyone in life should have experienced anxiety, it would be Jesus. No one else lives life knowing exactly what is going to happen to them. Oh, and also knowing that what will happen to them is the worst possible thing imaginable, but Jesus did.

This is made most clear in the garden of Gethsemane the night before his arrest. He knows the hour of his death draws near, and he spends this evening bringing his fears and anxieties before the Lord.

“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’ Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” – Matthew 26:38-39

Here Jesus confronts the difficulty that awaits him. And does it say he was cheerful because God says “do not be afraid” in Joshua 1:9? No, it says his soul was overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. The term sorrow carries a notion of anxiety about what is to come.

He is burdened and grieved by the painful road ahead. He even goes so far as to barter diplomatically and respectfully with God about finding another way. But at the end of the day, he knows this is road.

Even Jesus experienced anxiety. He was human and felt fear just like you. The difference is rather than choosing to be overwhelmed and operate driven by his anxiety and fear, he brings it to the father.

What to Do with Your Anxiety

So, if anxiety and fear are unavoidable human experiences that even Jesus went through, then how are you supposed to handle them? Well, Jesus shows us a great example in Gethsemane, and Peter explains it further in 1 Peter 5:7, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

In this verse, Peter makes prescriptive what Jesus put on display in the garden. Anxiety and fear are not things to be ignored or suppressed unless you happen to be entering into the promised land, but that’s a different story.

Instead, Jesus and Peter both highlight the fact that anxiety and fear are opportunities to approach the Father. Rather than hide from your anxiety or be subconsciously driven by it into sin and poor health, you need to recognize where it is in your life and what is causing it.

To do this is easier said than done. For those with deeply entrenched wounds, finding the source of your pain may be more than you can do on your own. If this is the case, then Christian anxiety counseling is a powerful tool at your disposal. A professional Christian counselor will be able to help you work through your feelings and find the source of your anxiety.

Once you can discern what is happening in your heart, then you can approach God to cast your fears and anxiety upon him as Jesus did in the garden. However, if you cannot find the problem, then you will never be able to go to God and find the solution.

Conclusion

It’s tempting to write fear and anxiety off as something wrong and to be avoided at all costs. However, doing so will cost you greatly. As you suppress your fears, they will drive into unhealthy ways of coping, costing you your emotional, physical, and spiritual health.

Instead, you need to come to grips with your fears and anxieties, facing them head-on and bringing them to God. Only then will you be able to find the light and easy yoke Jesus promises to his followers.