Walking With Anxiety: A 7-Day Devotional GuideNäide

Day 3: Learning from Biblical Figures Who Faced Anxiety

“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” - Matthew 26:38

You Are Not Alone in Your Anxiety. When anxiety strikes, it can feel isolating—like no one else understands what you're going through. But throughout Scripture, we see that even some of the greatest heroes of the faith wrestled with deep distress, fear, and anxiety.

• King David cried out to God in his lowest moments, writing psalms from an anxious heart filled with pain, worry, and desperation (Psalm 6:1-10, Psalm 55:1-23).
• Jesus Himself felt overwhelmed with sorrow in the Garden of Gethsemane as He prepared to face the cross (Matthew 26:36-46).
• Job lost everything and sat in deep despair, struggling to understand God’s plan in his suffering.
• Elijah was so afraid and anxious after being threatened by Queen Jezebel that he wished for death (1 Kings 19:1-9).
• Paul constantly carried concern for the churches he planted (2 Corinthians 11:28), showing that even the strongest believers wrestle with worry.

Anxiety is not a sign of weak faith. If even Jesus, the Son of God, experienced deep anguish and cried out to the Father, then we can be assured that our struggles do not make us any less loved, valued, or faithful. The key is not to let anxiety define us—but to bring it before God, just as these faithful men did.

Today, if you feel overwhelmed, take heart. You are in good company. The same God who comforted David, strengthened Elijah, restored Job, and walked with Paul is walking with you. He does not condemn you for your fears—He invites you to bring them to Him!

Reflection Questions

• Which biblical figure’s experience with anxiety resonates with you the most? Why?
• How does it encourage you to know that Jesus Himself felt sorrow and distress?
• What would it look like for you to bring your anxiety to God in the same way these biblical figures did?

Prayer Focus

Ask Jesus to strengthen your faith and guide you through moments of worry and fear.

Father, thank You for showing me that I am not alone in my struggles. Even the strongest believers in Scripture experienced fear and distress, yet You remained faithful to them. Help me to bring my anxieties to You as David did, to trust You in my suffering as Job did, and to rest in Your peace as Jesus did. Strengthen my faith and remind me that You are near. In Jesus’ name, amen.