3 Ways to Combat Anxiety

Wisdom from the Bible to Modern Psychology

A reader sent a question recently. He asked if Judaism sees anxiety as a sin.

He pointed to a verse in the Christian Bible where it says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Do not be anxious about anything… Is this possible? Are we doing something wrong when we feel anxious?

I noted that we Jews are known for anxiety, so I may not be the right person to answer. But I also pointed out that in Judaism, our actions matter more than our thoughts.

We may feel a certain way—anxious, angry, upset—but we sin only when those feelings express themselves in harmful action. 

That was all I wrote. But I also began to ask myself why some consider anxiety a sin.

Is it the same as lying or murder? No.

But anxiety can take the joy and meaning out of life. It can take us away from others.

How can we tell when anxiety becomes destructive? And what helps us find relief?