Anxiety

Anxiety (Hebrew de'agah, care; Greek merimna, anxious care) is the experience of worry, dread, or inner agitation about present or future circumstances. Scripture takes anxiety seriously as a human reality while consistently directing believers toward trust in God as the antidote. Proverbs acknowledges that "anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad" (Prov. 12:25). The Psalms give voice to anxiety in the lament tradition (Pss. 38:18; 94:19; 139:23) before resolving into trust in divine care. Jesus's most extended treatment of anxiety in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 6:25–34) forbids anxious worry about material needs — food, drink, clothing — on the basis that the heavenly Father knows and provides. The command "Do not be anxious" (me merimnate) is grounded not in denial of need but in the radical security of the kingdom: "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" (Matt. 6:33). Paul echoes this: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God" (Phil. 4:6), promising a peace that surpasses understanding. Peter grounds the release of anxiety in divine care: "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (1 Pet. 5:7).