Does the Bible teach us to be anxious or no?

[MarcoPolo]

Matthew 6:27,31,34
And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life?..Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’…Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day.

Philippians 2:12
*…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling…*Does one passage seem to discourage us from anxiety and another one encourage us?

The last sentence in the Matthew excerpt suggests we should have anxiety, but only toward the things at hand, although not food or clothing. After all even Jesus prayed with blood in His sweat (Lk 22:44), and He was “troubled” more than once (eg. Mk 14:33, Jn 12:27, Jn 13:21).

It seems that what it is about which we should not be anxious are the things of this world, yet we should have fear and trembling about things eternal? This would include suffering for the Kingdom, as Jesus did in the Luke passage. What do you think?

 

[Leopard]

Matthew tells us “don’t sweat the small stuff”, Philippians reminds us that our salvation is not small stuff.

 

[quiet52]

Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be kown to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding wil guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you.
(St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians 4:4-9)

 

[MarcoPolo]

Thanks for your replies. So how do we tie in Jesus being “troubled” and alarmed in the Garden?

 

[Leopard]

Thanks for your replies. So how do we tie in Jesus being “troubled” and alarmed in the Garden?

That’s a comparison I had not considered before. It suggests that St Paul may be telling us to take the work of our salvation no less seriously than Christ Himself did, who worked out our salvation “with fear and trembling”.

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

Matthew 6:27,31,34And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life?..Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’…Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day.

Philippians 2:12*…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling…*Does one passage seem to discourage us from anxiety and another one encourage us?

The last sentence in the Matthew excerpt suggests we should have anxiety, but only toward the things at hand, although not food or clothing. After all even Jesus prayed with blood in His sweat (Lk 22:44), and He was “troubled” more than once (eg. Mk 14:33, Jn 12:27, Jn 13:21).

It seems that what it is about which we should not be anxious are the things of this world, yet we should have fear and trembling about things eternal? This would include suffering for the Kingdom, as Jesus did in the Luke passage. What do you think?

1. God is “Our Father” - we are to have the most unbounded confidence in Him; for nothing at all is outside His Providence​

1. God is “Our Lord”, the Creator of all things Who Rules & guides them all; so nothing at all is outside His Providence - so He is to be adored with all reverence.

IOW - they are two facets of one jewel The Bible witnesses to God in this many-sided way, because God is revealed as too great for any one description or indication of Him to “do Him justice”. Only the personal Word Who is God can do that.

 

[LilyM]

Thanks for your replies. So how do we tie in Jesus being “troubled” and alarmed in the Garden?

Just to show us that discerning and doing the will of God is usually not an easy proposition! Sometimes it’s downright terrifying.

Mind you, Jesus’ work was a lot more important and loftier than that of we mere mortals - he foresaw all the sin He would have to take on Himself, how deeply it all offends God and how much He would have to suffer in the atonement for it.