Why is anxiety such a destructive force in my life?

Psalm 143:4I am losing all hope; I am paralyzed with fear.

Matthew 8:23-27Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly all was calm. The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!”

Matthew 10:26-31“Don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear! Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.”

Matthew 25:24-25“The servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’”

Anxiety can be detrimental because it may lead to inaction, even keeping us from doing what we know we want or need to do. The psalmist, David, was “paralyzed with fear.” When Jesus’ disciples faced a sudden storm on the sea of Galilee, they panicked, thinking they were going to drown. They knew Jesus was with them, but they hadn’t yet realized who he was and his incredible power. So they focused on their terrifying problem, feared the worst, and almost missed the reality of Jesus’ divine presence with them. And in Jesus’ parable about the master and his bags of silver, the servant with one bag of silver said he didn’t invest his master’s money because he “was afraid” that he would lose it all. Anxiety can cause us to fear the worst, turning our focus to past failures and possible bad outcomes. It keeps us from enjoying the present and the blessings we have.

Psalm 55:4-5My heart pounds in my chest. The terror of death assaults me. Fear and trembling overwhelm me, and I can’t stop shaking.

Daniel 6:18Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night fasting. He refused his usual entertainment and couldn’t sleep at all that night.

Anxiety can affect us at a physiological level—sleeplessness, heart palpitations, trembling, sweating, feeling cold or hot, and many other symptoms can spring from anxiety.

Psalm 143:8-10Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Rescue me from my enemies, Lord; I run to you to hide me. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.

Proverbs 17:22A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.

Romans 15:13I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Anxiety can be detrimental because it robs us of our hope, joy, and strength.