There are many instances of people who experience anxiety in the Bible. When we reflect on Jesus Christ’s life on earth, we commonly reflect on His wisdom, often shared through His parables and many feats of remarkable faith. However, rarely do we acknowledge Jesus’ human experiences of fear and anxiety. Understanding and embracing Jesus’ earthly encounters wholeheartedly, taking into account His vulnerabilities as a human, is crucial to our Christian walk. While Jesus was completely God, He was also completely human and experienced the full depth of our emotions. He, too, felt despair, like when His friend Lazarus died; he also felt anger whenever people would disrespect His Father’s house, and he was often overwhelmed, especially when crowds of people surrounded Him.
Anxiety in the Bible – Matthew 26: 36-46
36 Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” 37 He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. 38 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
39 He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
40 Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? 41 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”
42 Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away[f] unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open.
44 So he went to pray a third time, saying the same things again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But look—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!”
Matthew 26 gives us a glimpse into some of the emotions Jesus experienced in His final days. After the Last Supper, He led His disciples to Gethsemane to pray. One must truly take time to imagine the heaviness of Jesus’ feet, the tightening in His chest, and the shortening of His breath before the cascade of events leading to the fulfillment of prophecy. He was literally carrying the weight of the world on His shoulders. Inevitably, this triggered His anxiety.
Clinical Signs of Anxiety Disorders
The World Health Organization describes anxiety as intense fear and worry about a specific situation or everyday situations. Everyone experiences anxiety throughout life, and to some extent, it is normal and healthy. Anxiety can motivate us and keep us safe through our fight-or-flight response.
However, in people with anxiety disorders, this fear is heightened and disrupts daily tasks. It becomes debilitating, interfering with one’s ability to function in their personal, social, and work life. Generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder are some common forms of anxiety disorders.
Symptoms of anxiety disorders include irritability or restlessness, difficulty concentrating, sleeping too much or too little, muscle tension, and anxiety or worry on most days.
Throughout the gospels, we can see how Jesus’ behavior aligns with common symptoms of anxiety.
Jesus experienced faith and fear like many of us. He was tasked with saving us all, knowing that many of us would reject Him because of our stubbornness. That caused great anxiety. As His followers, it’s comforting to know that He cares about our fears and wants to carry all our burdens. He also gives us the strength to weather the storm. Luke 22:43 NIV says, “An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.” Always remember that you are never alone in your anxiety.
Our resources tab has information on where you can access help and support based on your needs. For example, you can find therapists, psychiatrists, Bible app plans on mental health, or call the National Suicide and Crisis lifeline at 988.
