God and Anxiety: Can I Be a Christian and Still Be Anxious?
Let's face it, a lot of young Christians and Christian women struggle with the silent question, "If I love Jesus, why am I still anxious?"
Perhaps you've whispered it during worship when your heart was heavy, or you've asked it while crying at night. If so, you're not by yourself.
In actuality, being a Christian invites you to bring your anxiety to Jesus rather than making it go away.
David, the man after God’s own heart, wrote in Psalm 94:19 (NLT),
“When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.”
And in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus Himself—who is both fully human and fully God—felt the burden of worry. According to Luke 22:44,
“He (Jesus) was in such agony of spirit that His sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.”
Take a moment to process that. Jesus knows what it's like to feel overpowered.
Your faith is not invalidated by anxiety; rather, it strengthens your reliance on the One who declares:
“Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.” – 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)
The wonderful thing is that when you are anxious, God is not disappointed in you. He is offering peace, not perfection. A peace that meets you squarely in the middle of your struggle rather than disregarding it.
Therefore, it is possible to be a Christian and still struggle with anxiety. However, you don't have to fight this battle alone if you have Jesus.
Take a deep breath and keep in mind that God is close to those who are anxious if your heart feels heavy today. He is the comfort in your search for answers, the calm in your turmoil, and the center point in your storm.
If you're having difficulties, you're not a bad Christian. You are a human Christian who is learning to rest in God's arms. You are learning to trust a God who heals compassionately and forgives without question.
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