Anxiety
Concept and Nature of Anxiety
His Holiness Pope Shenouda defines anxiety as imagining something harmful or dangerous that will happen — it is a mental illusion far from the faith of the believer who takes refuge in God and remembers the words of the Psalms about the Lord’s protection. Anxiety does not agree with the fruits of the Spirit such as joy and peace.
Types of Anxiety
He explains the existence of two types of anxiety: anxiety about oneself (for example fear of not marrying, delay in childbirth, or the desire for haste) and anxiety about others (a mother’s worry for her daughter when she is late, or worry for loved ones).
Causes of Anxiety
The causes are varied: the nature of weak souls, the desire for speed, sin and the fear of its exposure, lack of self-confidence, unemployment and economic conditions, rivalry and enmities, illnesses, travel and dangers, and exaggeration in frightening people by news or superstitions and pessimism.
Examples and Clarifications
The Pope uses examples: a student afraid of the exam because of poor studying or lack of confidence, a worker afraid of losing his job, and an old story about a man who committed a crime and his anxiety exposed him. He also mentions some religious people’s fear of demons or trials, and young people’s fear of temptation or praise.
Effects of Anxiety
Anxiety causes the soul’s disturbance, makes a person lose his peace and confidence and prevents him from surrendering to God, and may lead to constant tension and even mistakes or psychological illness.
Spiritual and Practical Guidance
He calls for surrender to God’s will and trust in His protection, and the necessity to encourage “weak-souled” people and hold to faith as a remedy for anxiety. If anxiety is the result of sin, the advice is that this should drive one to repentance and improvement, not to surrender to fear. He also urges avoiding exaggeration and excess pessimism or believing superstitions.
Conclusion and Appeal to Peace
The Pope ends with a reassuring word: do not be anxious, live in peace and surrender to God’s preserving power, for trust in God is the way to be freed from anxiety.
For better translation support, please contact the center.
