There has been a surge of anxiety in society in the past 20 years as a result of globalisation and the information age. Anxiety, even chronic anxiety, is affecting non-believers as well as believers alike. This is especially so during the Covid pandemic. Unchecked anxiety is flooding relationships and engagement with others, restricting creativity and diversity, and leading to increased rigidity, polarization and risk-aversion.

But the notion that Christians suffer from anxiety does not go without tension: Isn’t anxiety non-compliant with God’s Word? (Matthew 6:34; Philippians 4:6-7; John 14:27; 1 Peter 5:7) Yet scripture does show us people who were anxious and encountered God in the midst of it. The reality is that followers of Jesus are not exempt from anxiety in some form or other. So how should we view anxiety? And how should we respond to the pervasiveness of it in our society? Can it be the case that some of the most powerful testimonies contain within them defining moments when God encounters people in their uncertainty and fear? when they’re battling anxiety? Moments which are all the more powerful because it has to be God who helped them overcome it.

From the post-resurrection encounter of Mary and some other women in John 20, we see them struck with terror. But they would become bearers of the good news, transformed by Jesus’ resurrection to proclaim Him to others. Mary, in particular, was anxious and disoriented. Despite having followed Jesus since her dramatic deliverance, and likely had heard Him mention His rising again, she is worried for the missing body and disheartened to tears, so much so that she did not register she was speaking to angels (v12) or even Jesus (v14-15)! But Jesus called her by name (v16-17) and shifted her anxiety (v18). She went from anxious seeking to faithful witnessing (v18). Our anxiety need not be antithetical to joy and hope, but can be God’s invitation to relinquish control and experience rest in Christ.

Whether we like it or not, anxiety is a reality in our human experience. Anxiety is a normal response to uncertainty and volatile circumstances; it is ok to acknowledge when we feel it. Rather than being repelled by our anxiety, Jesus wants us to know He is with us and to let Him address our fears (John 10:3; Psalm 139:4; Psalm 103:14; Matthew 10:30). When we are anxious, Jesus wants to step in so that we know His presence, assurance and direction for us.

Anxiety in itself is not sinful, but if unchecked, it can lead to sinful behaviour such as over-indulgence, covetousness, hurting others, choosing to take matters into our own hands, because it is unfaithfulness towards God (Matthew 6:25-34). The cure lies not in squelching our fear but declaring our faith in Him. Even at times anxiety co-exists with joy and faith, we can trust that our ambiguity is safe with Jesus (Matthew 28:8; cf Habakkuk 3:18; Ps 23). We can experience His joy and hope when we seek Him in the midst of it all (Philippians 4:6-7; Exodus 33:12, 17).

May we be a people who amid anxiety know Jesus’ presence, assurance and direction, and thus demonstrate a “non-anxious presence” trust in Him which assures others that God is sovereignly working out His purposes in our volatile world. .

Discussion Questions:

1. How have you personally experienced anxiety in your life? How has it affected your faith and relationship with God, or your health, etc.?

2. Do you think Christians should feel shame or guilt when experiencing anxiety? Why or why not?

3. In what ways can the practices of intentional community and solitude help us with anxiety (and the unhealthy ways we cope with it)?

4. How can we experience Jesus when we’re anxious? What does that look like, to know His presence, assurance and direction?

5. How can being a person of non-anxious presence impact your workplace or school?

Action Steps:

1. Share your anxieties with a trusted community and seek support.

2. Take a half-day to reflect on what is causing you anxiety and write out your thoughts and prayer.

3. Pay attention to where God invites you to relinquish control and allow Him to sit with you and your anxious thoughts. Listen to what He says.

4. Ask someone along for a walk in the park and extend encouragement to him/her.