Over the years, anxiety has been a difficult topic for me. It presents itself in different ways to different people which makes it a little more difficult to define than other subjects or conditions. After a rather difficult discussion with a friend years ago, I was forced to readdress the topic and do a little bit more research into it (scriptural research that is). To preface this, I had mentioned that I was worried about a friend or test (I can not remember exactly what it was, but the important thing is that I was worried) to another friend. This friend, in a valiant effort to minister to me, told me that to worry is a sin. Immediately, in my head, I pushed back saying that there is no way anxiety or worry could be a sin. I justified this by saying that anxiety or worry reveals to us our subconscious and conscious cares. I found that the majority of things I worried about were things that I cared about. If this is the case, how then could it be a sin?
Here it would be important to define what exactly is anxiety, or try to define what anxiety does. The best way to define anxiety would be to look at the root meaning of the word and where it came from. The word comes from an old way of torture/execution. What would happen is they would take a prisoner or offender and tie each of their limbs to four horses. Once that was completed, they would send each horse off in a different direction stretching the individual to the point of separation. I apologize for the gruesome image, but this is a pretty clear definition of what anxiety and worry do. Contrary to popular belief, multi-tasking is quite impossible. To be more clear doing two things at the exact same time is impossible. Whenever it is attempted, neither of the tasks are done to the extent that one could achieve if they gave each task individual focus, and would possibly take more time than if they gave individual focus. This is kind of what the mind does with anxiety, or rather what anxiety and worry do to the mind. Trying to do two things at once stretches the mind to the point of exhaustion, removing the ability to properly give attention to any single thing. This is experienced most in the way of stress.
This is the type of anxiety and worry that Jesus (Matthew 6:25-34) talks about in the middle of his Sermon on the Mount. The little transition Matthew uses is hugely important in understanding the point and meaning of this passage: "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. For this reason I say to you, do not be worried..." (Matthew 6:24-25a, NASB). The main idea here is trying to serve two masters at the same time, or in other words doing two things at once. Jesus goes on to warn against focusing or worrying about certain physical things of life: clothing, food, etc. He then finishes by advising to "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:33-34, NASB)
Anxiety works to distract from the present. When we are thinking about multiple different things (especially in this season of finals, Christmas presents, family, travel, etc. and things that we really have no control over or haven't even happened yet), we begin to lose focus on what we should be thinking about. It will be difficult to refocus and take control of thoughts at first. This is why it is called a discipline. Over time, it will become easier and peace will begin to permeate the intricate details of life. This is not to say distractions will completely go away, just that peace will become a constant attitude because those distractions will be seen in light of the Kingdom. When we keep the Kingdom in perspective, everything else finds its proper place and value. After this research and conclusion, I still feel that anxiety itself is not a sin. It does reveal to us those certain things we care deeply about, so why wouldn't we want to offer those cares and worries to one who can properly handle them? At the same time, it is a dangerous slope that can lead to missing the mark of properly being in the present, prepared for whatever the Spirit has for us in that moment. When we begin to feel anxiety or worry or stress, we need to take it as a sign that we need to offer whatever it is up to God, releasing it into His plan.
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