The term "over-anxious" refers to an excessive or undue level of anxiety or worry, often characterized by a persistent and overwhelming sense of fear or concern about potential future events. In the context of biblical teachings, over-anxiety is addressed as a condition that can detract from one's faith and trust in God.

Biblical References:

1. Matthew 6:25-34: In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses the issue of anxiety directly. He instructs His followers not to worry about their lives, what they will eat or drink, or about their bodies and what they will wear. Jesus emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's provision, stating, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:34). This passage encourages believers to focus on seeking God's kingdom and righteousness, trusting that all necessary things will be provided.

2. Philippians 4:6-7: The Apostle Paul offers guidance on dealing with anxiety, urging believers, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Philippians 4:6). Paul assures that the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. This passage highlights the importance of prayer and thanksgiving as antidotes to anxiety.

3. 1 Peter 5:7: Peter advises believers to cast all their anxieties on God, "because He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7). This verse underscores the personal care and concern that God has for His people, encouraging them to relinquish their worries to Him.

Theological Insights:

From a theological perspective, over-anxiety is often seen as a lack of trust in God's sovereignty and goodness. The Bible consistently calls believers to place their confidence in God's ability to provide and care for them. Anxiety can be viewed as a natural human response to uncertainty, but excessive worry is discouraged as it can lead to spiritual and emotional unrest.

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to combat over-anxiety through several practical steps:

· Prayer and Supplication: Engaging in regular prayer and bringing concerns before God is a key practice. This aligns with the teachings of Philippians 4:6-7, where prayer is presented as a means to attain peace.

· Meditation on Scripture: Reflecting on biblical promises and truths can help redirect focus from anxiety to faith. Scriptures that emphasize God's faithfulness and provision can be particularly comforting.

· Community Support: Engaging with a faith community can provide encouragement and support. Sharing burdens with fellow believers can help alleviate feelings of isolation and anxiety.

· Trust in God's Plan: Developing a deeper trust in God's plan and timing can help mitigate over-anxious thoughts. Recognizing that God is in control and has a purpose for each situation can bring reassurance.

In summary, the Bible offers clear guidance on addressing over-anxiety, encouraging believers to trust in God's provision, engage in prayer, and rely on the support of their faith community. Through these practices, individuals can find peace and assurance in the midst of life's uncertainties.3309. merimnao -- to be anxious, to care for
... of Speech: Verb Transliteration: merimnao Phonetic Spelling: (mer-im-nah'-o) Short
Definition: I am anxious, distracted Definition: I am over-anxious; with acc ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3309.htm - 7k

The Second General Epistle of Peter
... (3) It appears that the author is over-anxious to identify himself ... If the writer
really was so over-anxious, why does he speak of himself as Simon Peter, cf. ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the second general epistle of.htm

Of the Character of the Unregenerate.
... We shall not be over-anxious about the order of words, the elegance of expression,
or the little graces of composition or delivery; but shall study to speak on ...
/.../doddridge/practical discourses on regeneration/discourse i of the character.htm

Twenty-First Day. Bearing the Cross.
... crosses. Be not over anxious about "smooth paths;""leaving your God, as Orpah
did Naomi, just when the cross requires to be carried. ...
/.../macduff/the mind of jesus/twenty-first day bearing the cross.htm

The Earthquake
... Where will you live?'. My boy,' said Chrysostom, when you have reached my age you
will learn to say with all your heart, ". Be not over-anxious about to-morrow. ...
/.../chapter xlvi the earthquake.htm

Epistle xiii. To the Clergy, Concerning those who are in Haste to ...
... If they are so over-anxious, they have what they require in their own power,
the times themselves offering them freely more than they ask. ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle xiii to the clergy.htm

Description of the Different Heretical Monsters which Spring from ...
... And of these the earliest was Ebion, [2365] who while over-anxious about asserting
our Lord's humanity [2366] robbed it of its union with Divinity. ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter ii description of the.htm

Quibbles of the Numerical Theorists; the Art of the Frontispicists ...
... These, he says, will partake of the following nature: cautious, subtle, perspicuous,
[210] prudent, indulgent, gentle, over-anxious, persons of secret resolves ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xv quibbles of the numerical.htm

How to Exhort Men to Faith, Repentance, and Advancement.
... But provided they thus progress, I am not over-anxious as to the where and the when
of their perfection in fulness of righteousness; only I solemnly assert ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 82 lxviii how to exhort.htm

It is Then My Purpose to Prove to You...
... long time a hearer, hath left them; "The Light hath made a passage through him."
For you see, you who are my chief care, (for I am not over anxious about them ...
/.../augustine/on the profit of believing /section 2 it is then.htm

To Polycarp
... Moreover, they must not be overanxious to gain their freedom at the community's
expense, lest they prove to be slaves of selfish passion. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/richardson/early christian fathers/to polycarp.htm

Over-anxious (6 Occurrences)
Over-anxious. Overall, Over-anxious. Overbearing . Multi-Version
Concordance Over-anxious (6 Occurrences). Matthew 6 ...
/o/over-anxious.htm - 8k

Unreservedly (1 Occurrence)
... Philippians 4:6 Do not be over-anxious about anything, but by prayer and earnest
pleading, together with thanksgiving, let your request be unreservedly made ...
/u/unreservedly.htm - 6k

Unable (102 Occurrences)
... left;" (WEY). Luke 12:26 If then you are unable to do even a very little
thing, why be over-anxious about other matters? (WEY). Luke ...
/u/unable.htm - 35k

Overbearing (7 Occurrences)

/o/overbearing.htm - 8k

Overall (1 Occurrence)

/o/overall.htm - 6k

Wear (56 Occurrences)
... (WEB NIV). Matthew 6:31 Do not be over-anxious, therefore, asking 'What shall we
eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' (WEY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/w/wear.htm - 25k

Inquiring (23 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:25 For this reason I charge you not to be over-anxious about your lives,
inquiring what you are to eat or what you are to drink, nor yet about your ...
/i/inquiring.htm - 13k

Trouble (477 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Matthew 6:34 Do not be over-anxious, therefore, about to-morrow, for to-morrow
will bring its own cares. Enough for each day are its own troubles. ...
/t/trouble.htm - 36k

Troubles (94 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Troubles (94 Occurrences). Matthew 6:34 Do not be
over-anxious, therefore, about to-morrow, for to-morrow will bring its own cares. ...
/t/troubles.htm - 33k

To-morrow (52 Occurrences)
... (WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT). Matthew 6:34 Do not be over-anxious, therefore, about
to-morrow, for to-morrow will bring its own cares. Enough ...
/t/to-morrow.htm - 23k

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

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