Anxiety (Part 2): Understanding Its Causes, Treatments, And Cases In The Bible" Series

Introduction

Last week, we learned about five types of anxiety, their symptoms, and how the Bible shows Jacob, Moses, Queen Esther, and Martha experienced anxiety. So, the Bible does talk about anxiety and how it steals peace and joy from our hearts. And more than that, it hinders us from being Christ's witnesses to the world.

Today we will learn that anxiety is not merely caused by a spiritual problem such as a lack of faith or disobedience to God. Many factors contribute to anxiety. Doctors, researchers, and counselors believe anxiety disorders develop from a complex set of risk factors, including:

1. Genetics. Anxiety disorders appear to be passed down from parents and immediate family to children, especially panic disorders. According to a study of identical and fraternal twins, identical twins (who share the same DNA) were twice as likely to develop anxiety disorders than fraternal twins.

2. Upbringing/Life Experiences/Parenting. Our life is forged on many experiences, and each of these experiences can promote or prevent developing an anxiety disorder. We can learn anxiety from our parents simply by watching how they react to fear when we're younger. We can also learn about anxiety from their teachings. If our parents told us to worry about things when we're younger, we could become more anxious. We can create social phobia simply because of a few poor social reactions in our youth. We can become fearful due to bullying or develop anxiety because we're worried about school, teachers, and classmates.

3. Environmental issues. For most people, anxiety will be primarily environmental such as work-related problems, relationship issues, or issues relating to the family.

4. Stress. Long-term stress is one of the most common reasons that people develop anxiety.

5. Problem. Serious problems that are happening are often a factor causing anxiety. For example, a husband is hospitalized for months and can't work, and his family has to pay for his significant medical expenses.

6. Brain chemistry. Psychologists have identified the causes of some anxiety disorders as misalignments of hormones and electrical signals in the brain. Brain imaging studies have shown that some people with anxiety have different brain activities than those without anxiety.

7. Medical problems. Some medical conditions can lead to anxiety, which could also result from the side of your medication. Sudden withdrawal from drug addiction can also lead to chronic anxiety.

Finding the Causes of Anxiety and Handling It

Because various factors can cause anxiety, when you're having a hard time, try to find out why you're anxious and what factors are causing it (if necessary, do this with family, friends, or your pastor). For example, if your anxiety is not caused by factors 1 – 5 above, then factors 6 and 7 may be the cause. If it results from disturbed brain chemistry or a side effect of certain drugs, you need to see a doctor for help. Remember, as is the case of worry, not all anxiety results from sin.

Unfortunately, often, anxiety is the result of sin. If this is the case, the cure or treatment is to overcome the sin. You know the story of King David, how he committed adultery with Bathsheba and silently orchestrated the death of her husband. However, after the prophet Nathan exposed his sin and rebuked him harshly, David, with a broken heart, repented for his horrible misdeeds. And he later wrote psalms expressing the anxiety, fear, and dread he felt because of his sin in Psalms 6, 32, 38, and 51. And he later wrote four psalms expressing the distress and terror he had felt due to his sin. David's anguished heart cries are found in Psalms 6, 32, 38, and 51. In each of these psalms, David was looking back, recalling the torment he experienced during this dark period of his life.

In each of these psalms, David looks back, remembering the inner torments he experienced during this dark time of his life. Specifically, in Psalm 38:1-11, he describes his situation at that time and how he begged the Lord for mercy:

"1 Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. 2 Your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down on me. 3 Because of your wrath, there is no health in my body; there is no soundness in my bones because of my sin. 4 My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear. 5 My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly. 6 I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning. 7 My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body. 8 I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart. 9 All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you. 10 My heart pounds, my strength fails me; even the light has gone from my eyes. 11 My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds; my neighbors stay far away."