What does the Bible say about Fear, Worry & Anxiety
When we talk about God, we often use vague terms. This can give a distorted view of who God really is. Some people see God as a mean, distant figure who only cares about creatures who act moral. However, the book "Let's Start with Jesus" notes that this is not accurate.
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
"Most of the gods that so-called unbelievers reject have never had any objective reality and are simply the goblin constructions of their own minds...The god before whom the sincere believer bows likewise may be a caricature that does little justice to the reality one believes oneself to be worshipping."
God is love. God is both transcendent and personal. This is most clearly seen in the New Testament in the figure of Jesus Christ. God cares deeply for us. God is the creator of the universe, but also takes notice of the smallest details.
"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." --Matthew 10:29-31 (NIV)
Sometimes our perceptions of who God really is can be inaccurate, leading to a distorted view. God is not abusive or distant, but rather is everlasting perfect love. God wants to be in fellowship with all of us as God’s children.
Love and Fear
Fear and love are opposites. In fact, scripture says: "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." (1 John 4:18)
This is true on a spiritual level but also on a physiological level: the amygdala is the area of the brain that controls fear, as well as the anterior cingulate cortex, or ACC for short.
"Dr. Newberg at the University of Pennsylvania has shown that when individuals aged 60 to 65 meditated 12 minutes a day for 30 days on a God of love, they experience growth in the ACC as measured by MRI brain scans, reductions in heart rate and blood pressure, and improvement in memory testing. Meditating on any other God concept, such as an angry, wrathful, distant, or punitive god did not result in these positive outcomes" (Timothy Jennings, The Popular Encyclopedia of Christian Counseling).
If you're suffering from anxiety, reach out to God by praying and meditation on God’s Word and His character.
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7)
God loves you unconditionally and has the best in mind for you. Will you trust God today?
Tres Adames, MDiv, BCPC,
Desert Mission UMC Member
https://www.prism-counseling.com/tres-adames.html
