One of the biggest problems in life is anxiety. On the one hand, anxiety is normal and is a part of life. Who of us has not sat with sweaty hands in the waiting room of the dentist? On the other hand, anxiety can take on such large proportions that it becomes a problem, a problem that engulfs life, making daily functioning difficult, affecting faith-life negatively, and sometimes becoming a heavy burden, under which people struggle permanently. Also in the Christian community we come across many different forms of anxiety. That is why in this time of reflecting on the suffering of our Lord, in this season of Lent, we also pay attention to ANXIETY.

We’ll start with the definition of this word. In literature there is often a distinction between “anxiety” and “fear.” Anxiety has to do with distress. Fear is associated with awareness of danger. The difference between fear and anxiety lies in this, that anxiety often deals with intangible and undefinable worries (e.g. of the unknown, of being alone, of death), while fear deals with something tangible, and deals with a concrete something or someone. In view of the limited space, I’ll be dealing with both aspects under the concept of “anxiety.”

The Problem⤒🔗

As I mentioned, anxiety is normal, and is a part of life. But anxiety can also become a problem. When would that be the case? That’s not even so easy to say. In any case, we cross the line when our anxiety exceeds the usual balance wherein the anxiety is usually dealt with. In other words, the anxiety becomes excessive, takes too long, repeats itself, becomes problematic, and disturbs daily functioning. In literature we then speak of “disturbance.”

Research has shown that these anxiety disorders have resulted in extensive problems. It has been shown that anxiety disorders account for about half of all psychological problems. In this regard, women are more vulnerable than men. The chance of having to deal with an anxiety problem during our lifetime is calculated at 20%. That means that all adults run the risk that one in five of us will at one time or other in our life be confronted with this problem.

Compared, for example, to mood disorders (such as depression), it is quite significant. Statistically speaking, the chances that we will have to deal with anxiety is greater than that we will be suffering from depression. In view of this it is amazing that not more attention is paid to the problem of “anxiety,” also in our Christian congregations.

Burdened and Afflicted←⤒🔗

In the meantime, I have not even touched on the effect that this problem has on the afflicted individual and on her environment. But they certainly are there. First of all, there is the personal suffering. Through those anxious moments an individual is limited in their normal functioning as man or woman, as spouse, as parent, as an employee, as congregation member, etc. Anxiety disorders also bring along with them physical complaints (dizziness, heart palpitations, hyperventilating, stomach problems, and sleep disorders). For all these symptoms help is needed and medicines prescribed.

We also speak of a burden for the immediate environment, for the family, and other relatives. I cannot go into this extensively now, but I mention it so that we don’t forget the tremendous implications it has for them.

Also in society at large, anxiety disorders affect the community. Quite often the help of agencies is needed – pastors, social workers, health care workers – and also the productivity of the person is affected. But those are, as far as I am concerned, of less importance. In the context of this article, I find the personal suffering of the “patient” and his or her immediate environment of much more importance.

The Anxiety and Suffering of Jesus←⤒🔗

From anxiety in general I am now going to deal with the anxiety of Jesus Christ. Yes, Jesus also suffered from fear and anxiety. When we read about the suffering of our Lord in the Gospels, we are struck by the fact that three specific instances are mentioned where the Saviour suffered from anxiety. First, in the beginning of his suffering, John 12:27: “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour.” After that, the wresting in prayer in the garden of Gethsemane. And finally, during the three hours of darkness on the cross.

Let me say something more about the distress and anxiety of Jesus in Gethsemane. That anxiety is inextricably tied to other aspects of his suffering in the garden of olives, such as the sorrow which engulfed him (“My soul is exceedingly sorrowful – even to death”), the repeated request to his Father to take away this cup, the disappointment with his disciples, who fell asleep while he needed them so badly. All those aspects together constitute the gravity of the suffering of Jesus – his extreme anxiety in the garden of Gethsemane as is written in the Gospel of Luke (22:44), “And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”

Fear has everything to do with what is going to come. Jesus is overwhelmed by the cup of suffering that he will have to drink to the last dregs. He knows. He has told it to his disciples. But when it comes closer – that cup of suffering whose content is so terribly bitter, bitter because that cup is filled with God’s curse over the sins of humanity – when it comes closer, then Jesus is overwhelmed by what the psalmist calls “the pangs of hell,” such anxiety in which there is no comfort, the anxiety that oppresses and strangles, the anxiety that is experienced in utter loneliness. Even Jesus’ body is engulfed with this tremendous anxiety, because – as the Gospel tells us, “His sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground” (Luke 22:44).

The Message←⤒🔗

What message does this fear and anxiety of Jesus give us? First and foremost this: the horror and despair of our lost condition! In Gethsemane we do not even see the full extent of this utter despair; that will happen on Golgotha. But even the realization of this coming horror brings our Saviour to deep anxiety and despair. For Scripture speaks of the fact that it is terrible to fall into the hands of the living God (Heb. 10:31).

To continue: how great the love of our Lord Jesus Christ! That he suffered the terrors and pangs of hell for us and in our place. That he went to that extent to redeem and save us!

Let me now continue to show how Christ’s fear and anxiety can help us in our fears and anxieties. In the framework of his redeeming work for us, we need to say that Jesus’ fear was unique in that his anxiety had to do with suffering under the wrath of God, to obtain God’s redemption for his people. And that’s why we cannot put our anxieties and his anxieties on the same level. Yet there is most definitely a link between his anxiety and ours. Because he has known anxiety – and also in this became like us – we may flee to him with our fears and anxieties. With him there is room for anxious people. He tells us: I know all about it! I have known fears, even deadly fears, fears drenched with tears, prayers, and supplications, and accompanied by bloody sweat. And he promises his own: I am with you! Also in the fears. I won’t let you go, even if your feelings tell you differently. All those fears, which bring so much distress in your life, I give them their boundaries. Even if those anxieties do not all disappear in this life, I will free you completely from all those anxieties and fears in the glorious freedom that awaits God’s redeemed children.

Finally, the anxieties Jesus faced also show us the way to face and deal with our anxieties. Jesus went with his fears and anxieties to his Father in prayer, and in prayer gave himself over to the will of his Father. So, to follow Christ by faith is to go with our fears to him who, because of Christ’s merit, wants to be our Father and entrust us to him.

That does not rule out medicines and other help. Those are necessary – sometimes for the duration of a person’s life – also in the life of a child of God.

We may hold on to this: trusting in him, I may – with all my fears and anxieties – know myself to be secure in the care of my Saviour, Jesus Christ, who also for me went through hellish fears and anxieties!

This article was translated by Jennie Van Driel.