Is anxiety a sin ?

BurningBush84 said:

Does Philippians 4:6 mean having anxiety is a sin ?

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Anxiety is also associated with brain chemical imbalance for example

Epinephrine is just one chemical involved in your body's response to anxiety. Other chemicals may also play a role. For example, a serotonin imbalance¹ may contribute to anxiety, as can high cortisol levels. However, epinephrine is the primary chemical because it is directly involved in your anxiety symptoms.

A chemical imbalance that can increase anxiety levels can also be caused during gestation by the mothers stress levels.

Gestational exposure to maternal cortisol is associated with anxiety among preadolescent children.

Prenatal Psychobiological Predictors of Anxiety Risk in Preadolescent Children

Experimental animal models have demonstrated that one of the primary consequences of prenatal stress is increased fear and anxiety in the offspring. Few prospective human studies have evaluated the consequences of prenatal stress on anxiety during preadolescence. ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

So sometimes perhaps more often than not anxiety can be caused by the mother or according to epigenetics even the grandemothers stress levels which are expressed in offspring. In that sense anxiety is not a sin. At least for the offspring. Besides anxiety is really a psychological problem which to some extent overpowers someone and there is no rationality as people usually know that they are over worrying but have no control stopping it.

But I think it can get to a point where a person needs to seek and accept help because it can take over their life and stop them from achieving their potential. So though a person has no control it is still their choice to continue to live that way or give in to getting help. Its a vicious circle as a person has to sort of take that first step and overcome their anxiety to get help to overcome anxiety.

Thats why medication rather than repentance is the best first step. It can rebalance the brain chemicals which then helps a person to be more rational aned positive to get their life in order. Like addicts who are out of control with addiction. You need to address the physical addiction first and then they can be in a position to repent and make amends.

Well we wouldn't want Paul to tell us to be anxious and have anxiety would we?

Personally as someone with diagnosed general anxiety disorder, I consider it to be consoling. And especially “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life" Matthew 6:25. To me while my brain is saying, "be afraid, be very afraid", Jesus is telling me "don't worry about it". It helps to give me reassurance.

Needless to say it's typical of anxiety to worry about worrying.

Sin is clearly defined in the Bible. If one has to ask if something is a sin, it probably isn't. Anxiety is something you have, not something you choose. Some folks are more prone to suffering from anxiety than others. But no one wakes up in the morning thinking, "This looks like a great day. I think I'll have me a panic attack."

Scripture reference to anxiety is merely advice not to give oneself over to worry because God is in control. Most things we are anxious about never really happens. Anxiety needlessly steals the joy out of the day, wasting energy over something (a) beyond our control that (b) usually doesn't happen or turns out not as bad as we thought it would be. Scripture says put it in God's hands and enjoy the day you have.

Simple answer is no its not a sin.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things

BurningBush84 said:

Does Philippians 4:6 mean having anxiety is a sin ?

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If anxious for self interest, yes. But the verse means chill, God (not you) is in charge.

BurningBush84 said:

Does Philippians 4:6 mean having anxiety is a sin ?

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Romans 14 says anything that does not come from faith is a sin.

yes, anxiety misses the mark. it is the opposite of faith.

BurningBush84 said:

So when it says, "do not be anxious" , is that a suggestion or command ?

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More like instruction.

If you can't control it then no.