Solicitude, in a biblical context, refers to the care, concern, or anxiety one might have regarding various aspects of life, including spiritual, physical, and emotional well-being. The Bible addresses the concept of solicitude in several passages, often encouraging believers to trust in God's provision and care rather than being consumed by worry or anxiety.

Biblical References:

1. Matthew 6:25-34: In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses the issue of anxiety and solicitude over material needs. 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 seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, assuring that all these things will be added to them. He uses the example of the birds of the air and the lilies of the field to illustrate God's provision and care for His creation. "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:34).

2. Philippians 4:6-7: The Apostle Paul advises the Philippians to be anxious for nothing, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, to present their requests to God. 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 solicitude, encouraging believers to rely on God's peace rather than their own understanding.

3. 1 Peter 5:7: Peter exhorts believers to cast all their anxieties on God because He cares for them. This verse underscores the personal nature of God's concern for His people and His willingness to bear their burdens. "Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7).

4. Psalm 55:22: The psalmist encourages the faithful to cast their burdens on the Lord, promising that He will sustain them and never let the righteous be shaken. This assurance of divine support and stability is a recurring theme in Scripture, offering comfort to those experiencing solicitude.

Theological Insights:

Solicitude, when left unchecked, can lead to a lack of faith and trust in God's sovereignty and goodness. The Bible consistently calls believers to a life of faith, where trust in God's provision and care replaces anxiety and worry. This trust is not passive but is actively expressed through prayer, thanksgiving, and a focus on God's kingdom and righteousness.

The biblical response to solicitude involves a shift from self-reliance to God-reliance. By acknowledging human limitations and God's infinite wisdom and power, believers are encouraged to surrender their concerns to Him. This surrender is not an abdication of responsibility but a recognition of God's ultimate control over all aspects of life.

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to cultivate a lifestyle of trust and dependence on God, actively seeking His kingdom and righteousness. This involves regular prayer, meditation on Scripture, and a commitment to living out one's faith in practical ways. By doing so, Christians can experience the peace of God that guards their hearts and minds, even amidst life's uncertainties and challenges.

In summary, solicitude is addressed in Scripture as a common human experience that can be transformed through faith and trust in God's providential care. The biblical exhortation is clear: believers are to cast their cares upon the Lord, who is both willing and able to sustain them through every trial and circumstance.(n.) Uneasiness of mind occasioned by fear of evil or desire good; anxiety.3308. merimna -- care, anxiety
... care. From merizo (through the idea of distraction); solicitude -- care. see GREEK
merizo. (merimna) -- 6 Occurrences. (merimnai) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3308.htm - 7k

563. aperispastos -- without distraction
... from a compound of a (as a negative participle) and a presumed derivative of perispao;
undistractedly, ie Free from (domestic) solicitude -- without distraction ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/563.htm - 7k

Whether Solicitude Belongs to Prudence?
... TREATISE ON THE CARDINAL VIRTUES (QQ -170)OF PRUDENCE, CONSIDERED IN ITSELF
(SIXTEEN ARTICLES) Whether solicitude belongs to prudence? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether solicitude belongs to prudence.htm

Whether Solicitude Belongs to Prudence?
... TREATISE ON THE CARDINAL VIRTUES (QQ -170)OF PRUDENCE, CONSIDERED IN ITSELF
(SIXTEEN ARTICLES) Whether solicitude belongs to prudence? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether solicitude belongs to prudence 2.htm

To Olympias. Do not be Anxious on My Behalf, nor Rack Yourself ...
... to olympias. Do not be anxious on my behalf, nor rack yourself with solicitude?
Do not be anxious on my behalf, nor rack yourself ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/to olympias do not be.htm

Whether it is Lawful to be Solicitous About Temporal Matters?
... Because a superior should be solicitous for his subjects, according to Rom.12:8,
"He that ruleth, with solicitude." Now according to the Divine ordering, man ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful to 5.htm

Whether we Should be Solicitous About the Future?
... the future. Therefore solicitude about the future is praiseworthy. Objection
2: Further, solicitude pertains to prudence. But prudence ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether we should be solicitous.htm

Whether Negligence is a Special Sin?
... I answer that, Negligence denotes lack of due solicitude. Now every lack of
a due act is sinful: wherefore it is evident that negligence ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether negligence is a special.htm

Whether Negligence is Opposed to Prudence?
... I answer that, Negligence is directly opposed to solicitude. Now solicitude pertains
to the reason, and rectitude of solicitude to prudence. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether negligence is opposed to.htm

Whether Religious Perfection is Diminished by Possessing Something ...
... Objection 2: Further, the perfection of the counsels requires that one should be
without worldly solicitude; wherefore the Apostle in giving the counsel of ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether religious perfection is diminished.htm

Whether it is Right to Say that Religious Perfection Consists in ...
... First, as being a practice of tending to the perfection of charity: secondly, as
quieting the human mind from outward solicitude, according to 1:Cor.7:32: "I ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is right to 2.htm

Whether the New Law Directed Man Sufficiently as Regards Interior ...
... Objection 5: Further, solicitude for the necessary means of livelihood is by nature
instilled into man, and this solicitude even other animals share with man ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the new law directed.htm

Solicitude (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Solicitude (3 Occurrences). Luke 12:25 And which
of you by solicitude can add to his stature one cubit? (WBS). ...
/s/solicitude.htm - 7k

Fear (970 Occurrences)
... n.) A painful emotion or passion excited by the expectation of evil, or the
apprehension of impending danger; apprehension; anxiety; solicitude; alarm; dread. ...
/f/fear.htm - 50k

Careful (130 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Filling with care or solicitude; exposing to concern, anxiety, or
trouble; painful. ... I. In the Sense of Anxiety, Solicitude. ...
/c/careful.htm - 44k

Care (466 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A burdensome sense of responsibility; trouble caused by onerous duties;
anxiety; concern; solicitude. ... I. In the Sense of Anxiety, Solicitude. ...
/c/care.htm - 44k

Solid (13 Occurrences)

/s/solid.htm - 12k

Jealousy (54 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) The quality of being jealous; earnest concern or
solicitude; painful apprehension of rivalship in cases nearly affecting one's ...
/j/jealousy.htm - 29k

Worry (14 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) A state of undue solicitude; a state of disturbance from care and anxiety;
vexation; anxiety; fret; as, to be in a worry. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/w/worry.htm - 10k

Thought (821 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) Solicitude; anxious care; concern. 7. (n.) A small degree or quantity;
a trifle; as, a thought longer; a thought better. Int. ...
/t/thought.htm - 8k

Ease (46 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Freedom from care, solicitude, or anything that annoys or disquiets;
tranquility; peace; comfort; security; as, ease of mind. ...
/e/ease.htm - 23k

Pain (172 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Specifically, the throes or travail of childbirth. 4. (n.) Uneasiness of
mind; mental distress; disquietude; anxiety; grief; solicitude; anguish. ...
/p/pain.htm - 43k

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