Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Is being anxious a sin?


Is being anxious always a sin?

Is it always wrong to worry about bills that you don't have the money for? How about being anxious about public speaking or a big test? What about anxiousness about a new job or a new school? The list could go on and on.

Phillipians 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

So what do you think.
Is being anxious always wrong?

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'd have to say yes. Although I don't normally "do" yes. There's another verse that always hits me with this one.

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." - Matthew 6:34 ESV

I'm anxious about bills as well. God's got us to today, so I need to learn to remember that. Thanks Kevin!

Rachel Monfette said...

Interesting question Kevin...

When I was in High School I dealt with panic attacks for about 2 years and the Lord taught me so much through that.

I don't think we need to be cavalier with our emotions just becuase we know that God is in control. It becomes a sin when we let those emotions control us- when we make decisions based out of our fear of (fill in the blank) rather than trusting the bigness of our Father.

One of my fave stories in the Bible is about King Hezekiah. The enemy Senacharib had surrounded the city and was so confident about his victory of the city that he sent a letter to King Hezekiah declaring it. King Hezekiah was human- probably feeling pretty hopeless and freaked out and dare I say anxious. But he made a choice to trust God and unrolled that letter in prayer keeping his eyes on God's action, not Senacharib's.

So I guess what I am trying to say is that when we fear something/someone more than our God - Yes, absolutely it's a sin. But when we let our fear/anxiety drive us to the hand and face of our Father- No sin in that.

KG said...

Thank you for the thoughts.

I think I learn towards what do we do with that anxious feeling. We have little control of our initial feelings (sadness, joy, goofy, etc.) but what do we do when those feelings arise. Do we allow them to let us rebel, worry, doubt God, etc. or do we respond by drawing near and trusting God.

Any other thoughts?