Anxiety visits every one of us, but Jesus shows us how to face it without being consumed by it. When distress overwhelms, peace is found not in escape but in drawing near to God and godly friends who help us stand firm.
The Reality
All of us will experience varying levels of distress and sorrow in life. No one escapes anxiety completely; it simply shows up differently for each of us. We often separate people into two groups: those who struggle with anxiety and those who don’t. But those are unhelpful and inaccurate distinctions.
Anxiety is better understood as a spectrum, not a switch. Imagine a scale from 0 to 100. We all begin at different points because of our wiring, experiences, and circumstances, and certain factors (stress, fatigue, relationships, trauma, or even diet) can move the needle up or down.
The issue isn’t if anxiety comes; it’s how you handle it when it does. You don’t fail the moment anxiety hits; you fail when you mishandle it. Anxiety is much like temptation in this way. The first glance or initial feeling isn’t the sin; the danger comes when we let it linger, spiral, and dominate our thoughts instead of submitting it to the Lord.
The Example
When you feel overwhelmed, remember that even Jesus reached that point. In Matthew 26:36–46, as He faced the cross, Jesus experienced intense emotional turmoil. Scripture describes Him as “greatly distressed” (Mark 14:33), “sorrowful” and “troubled” (Matt. 26:37). He told His disciples that His soul was “overwhelmed to the point of death” (Matt. 26:38). Luke records that His anguish was so deep He sweat drops of blood (Luke 22:44), a medical condition called hematohidrosis.
Yet even in that agony, Jesus modeled what to do when overwhelmed.
He drew near to God.
He went to His usual place of prayer (Luke 22:39) and reminds us that consistent habits prepare us for crisis moments. He poured out His honest emotions before the Father (Matt. 26:39), holding nothing back.
He drew near to friends.
He invited Peter, James, and John to accompany Him (Mark 14:33). He didn’t isolate Himself but asked them to “stay here and keep watch” (Matt. 26:38–41). Though His friends fell asleep, His willingness to involve them shows humility and wisdom.
And what’s remarkable is the change we see in Jesus afterward. When He rose from that time of prayer, He was composed and resolute. He told His disciples, “Get up; let’s go. My betrayer is near” (Matt. 26:46).
From that moment on, Jesus exuded calm confidence:
- He stood boldly before His captors and spoke with authority (John 18:6).
- He protected His disciples (John 18:8).
- He healed the ear of a guard His disciple injured (Luke 22:51).
- He reminded His accusers that He could call down twelve legions of angels but chose not to (Matt. 26:53).
- He told Pilate that any power over Him existed only because it was granted by God (John 19:11).
The same Savior who was once sweating in Gethsemane became steady in the storm. His peace didn’t come from escape but from surrender.
The Process
You can follow the same pattern Jesus modeled. It’s not instant relief, but it’s a process that leads to strength.
Draw Near to God
- Are you regularly opening His Word, or are you trying to handle anxiety without His truth?
- Are you honest with God in prayer, or do you pretend you’re okay?
- Have you memorized Scripture that can serve as guardrails when your thoughts race?
- Is something distracting you from time with Him (perhaps entertainment, busyness, or unhealthy coping mechanisms)?
- Are you willing to let Him replace your false comforts with real peace?
Draw Near to Friends
- Do you have trusted, spiritually mature people in your life who know what you’re going through?
- Are you letting others in, or keeping your struggles private out of pride or fear?
- Are you initiating with others, taking time to listen to their burdens as well?
- Have you sought wise, biblical counsel from those equipped to help?
- Are you willing to take small, consistent steps toward health, even if progress feels slow?
Anxiety doesn’t have to define you, and it doesn’t have to defeat you. Like Jesus, you can bring your distress to God, surround yourself with godly friends, and walk away from the garden renewed with courage. Peace isn’t found in avoiding hardship; it’s found in the presence of the Father who never leaves you in it alone.
