Anxiety Rx

May 2025.

Anxiety is a topic that comes up often in my coaching practice. It seems that nobody is immune to it. The Bible speaks to our anxiety in specific, actionable ways. Which tells us that God knows all about our anxiety, has compassion for us, and wants us to be free! Here are a few pro tips straight from Jesus:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28

Jesus had a stressed out, anxious friend, Martha, who was complaining that her sister Mary, instead of helping her with her tasks, was sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to Him teach. He said to the anxious one, “Martha, Martha…you are worried and anxious about many things, but few things are needed- or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Matthew 10:41

We also have this illustration that Jesus gave, with a small child: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3. This is talking about humility. It takes humility to acknowledge that God is God. Does anxiety acknowledge God? Can anxiety and humility exist at the same time in our hearts? Anxiety tries to control outcomes; humility knows that God controls the outcomes.

Picture how little kids act with a loving, good father. They run to him, and jump in his arms when he comes home from work, with an exuberant “DADDYYYYY!!!” And he scoops them up in a bear hug, delighting in them. It’s the highlight of his day. Those beloved kids aren’t overthinking or anxious about anything. They know their father loves them, provides for them, and protects them. They trust him, believe what he tells them, and follow his leading. Why? Because there is a track record of love and faithfulness on the dad’s part.

We know God’s character from what He has revealed about Himself in the Bible. He gave His Son for us; how will He not also freely give us all things? We truly can let go of all of our anxieties with a Father like this.