The term "anxiously" refers to a state of unease, worry, or apprehension about potential future events or outcomes. In the context of the Bible, anxiety is often addressed in relation to trust in God and His providence. The Scriptures provide guidance on how believers are to handle anxiety, emphasizing faith and reliance on God’s promises.

Biblical References:

1. Matthew 6:25-34: In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses anxiety directly, urging His followers not to worry about their lives, what they will eat or drink, or about their bodies and what they will wear. He points to the birds of the air and the lilies of the field as examples of God’s provision, emphasizing that if God cares for them, He will certainly care for His people. Jesus concludes with the exhortation to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33).

2. Philippians 4:6-7: The Apostle Paul provides a direct command regarding anxiety: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" . This passage highlights the importance of prayer and thanksgiving as antidotes to anxiety, promising divine peace as a result.

3. 1 Peter 5:7: Peter encourages believers to cast all their anxieties on God, "because He cares for you" . This verse underscores the personal nature of God’s care and His willingness to bear the burdens of His people.

4. Psalm 55:22: The psalmist echoes a similar sentiment, urging the faithful to "Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken" . This assurance of God’s sustaining power is a recurring theme in Scripture.

Theological Insights:

From a theological perspective, anxiety is often seen as a challenge to faith. It can indicate a struggle to fully trust in God’s sovereignty and goodness. The Bible consistently calls believers to shift their focus from their circumstances to God’s character and promises. Trust in God is presented as the remedy for anxiety, with the assurance that He is both willing and able to provide for His children.

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to combat anxiety through spiritual disciplines such as prayer, meditation on Scripture, and community support. By cultivating a deeper relationship with God and relying on His Word, Christians can find peace amidst life’s uncertainties. The practice of gratitude, as mentioned in Philippians 4:6, is also a powerful tool in redirecting focus from worry to God’s faithfulness.

Historical Context:

In the ancient world, anxiety was as prevalent as it is today, often related to basic survival needs. The biblical exhortations against anxiety would have been particularly poignant for early Christians, who faced persecution and uncertainty. The teachings of Jesus and the apostles provided a counter-cultural perspective, encouraging believers to trust in God rather than succumb to fear.

Conclusion:

While the Bible acknowledges the reality of anxiety, it consistently points believers towards a life of faith and trust in God. Through prayer, reliance on God’s promises, and the support of the Christian community, believers are equipped to face anxiety with confidence in God’s provision and care.(adv.) In an anxious manner; with painful uncertainty; solicitously.3600. odunao -- to cause or suffer pain
... Word Origin from odune Definition to cause or suffer pain NASB Word Usage agony
(1), am in agony (1), anxiously (1), grieving (1). sorrow, torment. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3600.htm - 7k

4327. prosdechomai -- to receive to oneself
... to receive to oneself NASB Word Usage accepted (1), accepting (1), cherish (1),
looking (3), receive (2), receives (1), waiting (5), waiting anxiously (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4327.htm - 8k

4305. promerimnao -- to be anxious beforehand
... be anxious beforehand. From pro and merimnao; to care (anxiously) in advance --
take thought beforehand. see GREEK pro. see GREEK merimnao. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4305.htm - 6k

926. bahal -- to disturb, terrify
... root; to tremble inwardly (or palpitate), ie (figuratively) be (causative, make)
(suddenly) alarmed or agitated; by implication to hasten anxiously -- be (make ...
/hebrew/926.htm - 6k

The Holy Women at the Sepulchre.
... They questioned one another anxiously concerning what would have to be done about
the large stone at the door, as to who would be the best person to ask about ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter lxiv the holy women.htm

Some Time Ago, Macarius, a Man of Distinction from his Faith, his ...
... When he arose, he began anxiously to ponder the vision, and he found, as he said,
that that was the very moment of my arrival; so that he forthwith made known ...
/.../11 some time ago macarius.htm

How those are to be Admonished who Commit Very Small but Frequent ...
... Those who transgress frequently in very little things are to be admonished to consider
anxiously how that sometimes there is worse sin in a small fault than in ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xxxiii how those are.htm

How those are to be Admonished who Abstain not from the Sins which ...
... For those who lament their transgressions and yet forsake them not are to be admonished
to learn to consider anxiously that they cleanse themselves in vain by ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xxx how those are.htm

The Announcement to the Shepherds.
... So, even among the shepherds, who kept nightly watch over the flocks, were
some who anxiously awaited the appearance of the Messiah. ...
/.../section 16 the announcement to.htm

The Crisis in Galilee.
... One cannot but look anxiously at those who seem to remain, and to say, "Will ye
also go away?" No doubt such times of sifting are of eminent service in ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/xv the crisis in galilee.htm

The Distracted Mind
... business? That while they are looking anxiously for future opportunities, they
are neglecting the opportunities which they have already. ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxxix the distracted mind.htm

How they are to be Admonished who Lament Sins of Deed, and those ...
... But, on the other hand, those who bewail sins of thought are to be admonished to
consider anxiously within the recesses of their soul whether they have sinned ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xxix how they are.htm

The Story of David
... and nearer. Then at last the chief men of the town went out to meet him.
"Comest thou peaceably?" they asked anxiously. The old ...
//christianbookshelf.org/steedman/david the shepherd boy/the story of david.htm

As the Terrors of Imagined Suffering are Always Worse than Actual ...
... child. Moved by a sudden impulse the Cardinal rose, and going to the window
looked anxiously out, and down into the street below. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/corelli/the master-christian/iv as the terrors of.htm

Anxiously (8 Occurrences)
...Anxiously (8 Occurrences). Matthew 2:4 So he assembled all the High Priests and
Scribes of the people, and anxiously asked them where the Christ was to be born. ...
/a/anxiously.htm - 8k

Brood (19 Occurrences)
... 8. (vi) To have the mind dwell continuously or moodily on a subject; to think long
and anxiously; to be in a state of gloomy, serious thought; -- usually ...
/b/brood.htm - 13k

Carefully (76 Occurrences)
... Several words in the Hebrew and Greek are thus rendered in the English versions
"Anxiously" is the thought in "The inhabitants of Maroth waited carefully for ...
/c/carefully.htm - 31k

Anxious (40 Occurrences)

/a/anxious.htm - 18k

Urging (10 Occurrences)
... "This is the fourteenth day," he said, "that you have been anxiously waiting for
the storm to cease, and have fasted, eating little or nothing. (WEY). ...
/u/urging.htm - 9k

Jealous (43 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Zealous; solicitous; vigilant; anxiously watchful.
2. (a.) Apprehensive; anxious; suspiciously watchful. ...
/j/jealous.htm - 20k

Governors (43 Occurrences)
... Luke 12:11 And when they are bringing you before synagogues and magistrates and
governors, do not anxiously ponder the manner or matter of your defence, nor ...
/g/governors.htm - 21k

Waits (21 Occurrences)
... (WEB RSV NIV). Micah 1:12 For the inhabitant of Maroth waits anxiously for good,
because evil has come down from Yahweh to the gate of Jerusalem. (WEB). ...
/w/waits.htm - 11k

Writhe (6 Occurrences)
... (See NAS NIV). Micah 1:12 For the inhabitant of Maroth waits anxiously for good,
because evil has come down from Yahweh to the gate of Jerusalem. (See NIV). ...
/w/writhe.htm - 8k

Waiteth (15 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Micah 1:12 For the inhabitant of Maroth waiteth anxiously
for good, because evil is come down from Jehovah unto the gate of Jerusalem. ...
/w/waiteth.htm - 10k

What does the Bible say about fear? | GotQuestions.org

Anxiously: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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