Jesus is quoted in the Gospels using the the Greek word “merimnaó” = “To be anxious, to worry, to care for …”
Matthew 6 (ESV): 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
(See also Matthew 10:19; Luke 10:41;12:11; 12:22; 12:25; 12:26)
Luke 10 (ESV):41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
Paul continues the theme in 1 Corinthians 7:32-34; 12:25 & Philippians 2:20; 4:6 —
Philippians 4 (ESV): 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Wow! Then is being anxious something sinful? Well, what mental states follow upon anxiety? How about doom, despair and agony (sorry old Hee-Haw TV show flashback). That next stage is also described by a Greek word, “perilupos” = “Deeply distressed, exceedingly sorrowful, very sad … extreme grief”. Jesus’ human nature suffered this more profound anxiety in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus knew exactly what He would suffer on the cross, and the human part of Jesus was so distressed that Jesus literally sweated blood. Now Jesus was sinless, so …
Matthew 26 (ESV):38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” (also Mark 14:34). “Perilupos” is also used in Mark 6:26 & Luke 18:23-24
So, then, how do we reconcile what Jesus says, with what Jesus experiences. I think the understanding lies in our cultural image of “anxiety and fear”. Our mental image, in the English speaking Western world, particularly the USA, is that the opposite of “fear” is “courage”. The Biblical perspective, Jesus’ perspective, is different. I find it helpful to consider a Biblical definition of “anxiety or fear” may more appropriately be “the grief for a perceived impending loss”. That leads us to the Bible’s view: The opposite of fear is not courage, but rather Love. John tells us so in his first epistle:
1 John 4 (ESV):16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
Jesus admonished against “merimnaó” because it is focused on a perceived pending loss over which we have no direct influence; events (what if’s) that are dependent on the providence of God. Those focused on a loving God need not fear the unknown “what ifs” beyond human control. Jesus’ profound despair was focused on a future event that He could actually alter – Jesus could have taken up the power of God, and thwarted efforts to march Him to that cross; yet, Jesus laid aside His power and went to that death on a cross out of love for us and God. Note that Jesus entered into prayer to the Father, three times, about the impending death on a cross, and had His closest companions nearby. Also note that his message to Martha (see Luke 10:41, above) starts with “Martha, Martha” indicating love rather than condemnation: His words were compassionate and sympathetic to her internal turmoil caused by her focus on the things of this world.
And … lest we forget, this kind of Love is NOT an emotion or feeling, but rather a conscience choice … Jesus even stated that making a decision to love is the “new” commandment – something we choose to do.
John 13 (ESV):34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
So, the choice to love lets us live in the embracing love of God, a love that casts out fear and anxiety, and, like Jesus, approach the Father in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving — and we receive a great blessing: the peace of God.
Philippians 4 (ESV):6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.