To worry is human. One way to deal with problems is to view them from a Biblical perspective. Is there anything in the Bible about how to solve problems that concerns you? Does the Bible provide advice in case of (over)anxiety? The approach to concerns in the texts of Paul, Matthew and Peter.
Approach to worrying according to Paulus
Paul wrote specific letters to different population groups. In Paul’s Letter to the Philippians (Philippians 4:6-7), Paul says the following:
Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, Rejoice! Let your kindness be known to all men. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds through Christ Jesus.
A possible explanation for this is: You can give everything to God. You can let go of the problem in a prayer. In the peace that then comes over you, you can act again. Concern therefore also arises from not trusting the providence of God.
Approach to worrying according to Matthew
Matthew, one of Jesus’ disciples, wrote a whole piece about Anxiety (Matthew 6:25-34):
Therefore I say to you, Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat [or drink], or about your body, wherewith ye shall clothe it. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them; do you not far exceed them? Which of you, by being anxious, can add one cubit to his height? And why are you concerned about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. Now if God thus clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, What shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or what shall we clothe ourselves with? For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these will be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have its own worries; every day has enough of its own evil.
A possible explanation for this is: In concrete terms, what is being said here is that you should never let yourself be weighed down by burdens and worries that may come in the future. The saying don’t worry about tomorrow also applies here. Yet the emphasis is again on trust in God and therefore on letting go of problems and shaking off worries by seeking His Kingdom. In other words, to surrender to Him.
Approach to worrying according to Peter
Peter, a disciple and apostle of Jesus, wrote letters to everyone and no one in particular. In the first Epistle of Peter (5:6-12) the following:
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you. Become sober and vigilant. Your adversary, the devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are meted out to your brotherhood in the world. But the God of all grace, who has called you in Christ to his eternal glory, will, after a little while of suffering, perfect you, confirm you, strengthen you, and establish you. To Him be the power forever and ever! Amen. Through Silvanus, who, I believe, is a faithful brother to you, I have written briefly to encourage and testify to you that this is the true grace of God; you must stand firm in that.
A possible explanation for this is: It is indicated that it is pride that brings down. A humble attitude is more appropriate when you place your life in the hands of God. Furthermore, there will be constant temptations that require you to remain clear-minded and alert to resist them. But God is more powerful than evil. He will give grace in times of trouble and sorrow. Peter literally says: God takes care of you.
Explanation of the Bible with Statenvertaling.net
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