INTRODUCTION
Starting today, for the next 10 weeks, we will share messages under the theme “Do Not Worry About Anything.” There’s no one who is entirely free from anxiety or worry. Anxiety and worry can be seen as a part of life. But what exactly is anxiety? Why do we worry? Anxiety seems to stem from a sense of foreboding—a fear that something bad might happen. We worry because we anticipate the possibility of certain events. As a result, we enjoy peace today but worry about tomorrow. Though we are full today, we fear hunger tomorrow. Moments of happiness are fleeting because we fear unhappiness will soon follow.
Upon deeper reflection, anxiety often feels like a torrential downpour of “what-if” questions. What if I fall ill this year? What if I lose my job? What if I get into an accident? What if I lose all my possessions? What if war breaks out? What if a natural disaster occurs? What if the sky falls? What if… What if… What if…
When these “what-if” questions flood our hearts, they drown us in anxiety and leave us gasping for peace.
Even on a walk, we might wonder, “What if that tree breaks and hurts me?” At the beach, riding waves, we may fear, “What if a giant wave swallows me? What if a tsunami suddenly strikes?” Because of these “what-if” questions, we struggle to live life fully. These “what-if” questions rob us of the peace that resides within.
FEAR VS ANXIETY
Anxiety and fear may seem similar, but they are not quite the same. Fear is an emotional response to experiencing a dangerous moment. It is a reaction to a perceived threat. On the other hand, anxiety involves worrying about a danger that has not yet occurred. This distinction can be defined as follows:
PP – Fear is the response to a perceived threat, while anxiety involves worry about a threat that has not yet, or may never, happen. Because fear and anxiety are slightly different, their outcomes also differ.
The result of fear is action—it prompts a response to the situation. You may fight the situation or flee from it. Anxiety, in contrast, leads to despair over something that has not yet happened—or may never happen.
Let me give you an example:
You lose your job. You are made redundant at your company. The future feels uncertain, and you fear how you will move forward. In this situation, fear triggers a response to confront the problem. You look for another job. You search for temporary work until you find a new position. Sometimes, you might step back from the situation to reflect on your future. You ask for help. You begin studying for a new career path. These are outcomes of fear—a response to an event that has already occurred.
Anxiety, however, plays out differently. You still have your job, but there are rumors circulating in your company: “Restructuring is coming soon.” Naturally, hearing such rumors might make anyone feel uneasy.
You might prepare for the worst by exploring other job opportunities or evaluating your options.
But anxiety goes further. It involves worrying about something that hasn’t happened yet and may never happen. This kind of worry and concern fills your heart, making it impossible to live a normal life.
Anxiety can suffocate you. Anxiety robs you of sleep, drains your energy, and takes a toll on your health.
It steals your laughter, joy, and happiness. These are the consequences of anxiety.
THE CAUSE OF ANXIETY
David says this:
PP – Psalm 37:8, Do not fret — it leads only to evil.
Many modern people struggle with mental health issues. Among them, many suffer from anxiety disorders. The number of people suffering from anxiety disorders is increasing yearly. Countless people are tormented and unable to live fulfilling lives due to mental illnesses like panic disorders and phobias.
When I lead Bible studies and share in cell groups, many people confess this: They say they constantly feel anxious.
A certain study revealed that South Korea has one of the highest rates of anxiety disorders, following countries like the United States. Advanced nations around the world invest unimaginable amounts in mental health. The U.S. spends $300 billion, and Australia spends around $70 billion annually.
The cost of prescribed medication for depression and anxiety is astronomical. In the early 1900s, things weren’t this severe. Over the years, the number of people suffering from anxiety disorders has increased dramatically in our present day. Why is this happening? Scientific and technological advancements have made life much more convenient than in the past. The cars we drive are safer. We are far more knowledgeable about health compared to the past. We know what healthy food is and what’s good or bad for our bodies. We live in an era where living to 100 years old is common, and many diseases are treatable. Governments work hard to create safer societies. People are more sensitive to human rights and environmental issues, striving to resolve them. Yet, more people live under stress today compared to the past. Statistics show that stress levels in peaceful societies are not much different from those of people living through wars. While it seems we live in peace, we experience stress comparable to living in war zones.
Modern children live without material lack. Yet, according to a UCLA study, adolescents in advanced countries face enormous stress from academics and concerns about their future. This stress negatively affects their mental health.
Friends, let’s reflect on our lives. We live every day under tension. People are stiff and stressed. A little provocation can make someone snap. Many live in anxiety, worry, and fear. Without work, they feel uneasy. Even when they try to rest, they cannot. Why is this? What is the cause? In this series, we’ll explore the root cause. Identifying the cause may lead us to solutions. Some causes we already know. I believe one of the causes is change. Looking back over the last 30 years—or even just the last 10—we see how much has changed around us. Korea seems to change even faster than countries like Australia. In Korea, I saw many restaurants using kiosks for ordering food. Bank branches are closing, and banking is done through ATMs or internet banking. Older people often feel left behind in these rapid changes. Everything is changing too quickly and too much. Technological advancements have brought moral value changes as well. Climate change is accompanied by rapid social and political shifts. The world feels closer than ever.
We now hear about events happening on the opposite side of the globe instantly. Everything is instant, and there’s no time to process these changes.
On top of this, we face personal challenges. People get sick. They struggle to survive in this world. They must find work, earn money, pay mortgages, and cover school tuition. They care for children and elderly parents. Relationships bring conflicts, and everyone ages daily. Change comes at us from all sides.
Thinking about all this, it’s no wonder we feel anxious.
However, Apostle Paul says this to us:
PP – Philippians 4:6a, Do not be anxious about anything.
At first glance, Paul’s words might seem detached from reality. How can we live without any anxiety? But in the original Greek, Paul’s words imply not to live in “continuous” anxiety—not to be permanently trapped in it. Is there anyone in this world completely free from anxiety? Anxiety is part of life. Everyone experiences it. Paul is saying, though, that anxiety must not control our lives. When anxiety dominates our lives, it suffocates us.
One thing to note: Feeling anxious is not a sin. Anxiety is a natural human emotion. In some cases, it can even be beneficial. It makes us more cautious and helps us plan ahead. However, while anxiety itself is not sin, it can lead to sinful actions. When anxiety controls our lives, it becomes a destructive force.
Jesus says this:
PP – Luke 21:34a, Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life.
Anxiety weighs down our hearts. Perhaps we Christians are sensitive to sins like carousing and drunkenness. But just as carousing and drunkenness are harmful, so are life’s worries and anxieties. How is your heart today?
Let me ask you a few questions:
Has your smile disappeared? Do you find yourself thinking negatively or critically often? Do people say you’re overly cautious? Are you always expecting something bad to happen? When you hear good news, do you hesitate to rejoice fully, fearing it might go wrong? Do you tend to see the negative side of situations rather than the positive? If your answer to most of these questions is “yes,” I urge you to pay attention to today’s passage.
Today’s passage contains three commands that stood out to me. I believe these are the remedies for the illness of anxiety. Let’s read today’s passage again:
PP – Philippians 4:4-8, Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
The three commands I noticed are highlighted in yellow:
- Rejoice in the Lord.
- To rejoice in the Lord means to find joy in Him, regardless of circumstances. Jesus alone is our source of joy.
- Replace worry with seeking God—that is, pray.
- Here lies a secret: Pray with thanksgiving.
- How can we give thanks even before receiving answers to our prayers?
- It’s about entrusting everything to God, who is far greater and more capable than us.
- Focus on positive and good thoughts.
- See situations not negatively but positively.
- This positive mindset stems from trusting in God’s goodness and His promise to work all things together for good.
When we (1) rejoice, (2) pray with thanksgiving, and (3) think positively, what happens? The answer is in verse 7: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
CONCLUSION
Over the next 10 weeks, I want to reflect on the book of Philippians and find healing for our chronic struggle with anxiety. God desires to heal your anxiety. Just as a doctor provides a prescription, God has given us Philippians 4:4-8 as His remedy for this persistent issue—our anxiety. (Prescription)
God’s will for us is not to live in worry and anxiety as we navigate this world. Living in anxiety is not the life of a Christian. Jesus says this:
PP – John 16:33, I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
The Lord does not promise to remove all troubles from before us. Instead, He promises to give us peace in the midst of trouble. Let us cast all our anxieties on the Lord and experience the peace that He gives.
Just as the storm calmed when the Lord spoke to it, we pray that today the Lord will speak to us. We long for the storms raging in our hearts—our worries, fears, and anxieties—to be stilled by the Lord’s words.
Let us lift our eyes from our circumstances and fix them on the Lord. Over the next 10 weeks, I pray that the words of the Lord will calm the storms in our hearts and fill us with the peace that only God can give.
It is the first Sunday of the New Year, 2025.
I hope God’s grace overflows in your homes throughout this year. The theme of Nasum Church for 2025 is “I life my eyes to the Lord!” As we journey through 2025, I pray that every moment of our lives will be centered on God.