Is worrying/anxiety a sin? How to deal with it

[tonychanyt]

G3307 μερίζω (merízō): to apportion, to divide, to disunite

G3308 μέριμνα (mérimna) from 3307: the state of being concerned and preoccupied, through the idea of distraction

G3309 μεριμνάω (merimnáō) from 3308: worry, concern, preoccupy

G3309 appears 19 times in the NT.

NIV Matthew 6:

25 Therefore I tell you, do not worry [G3309] about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.

The same Greek word is translated as "anxious" in English Standard Version:

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

Luke 10:

41 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried [G3309] and upset about many things"

But then, the same Greek lexeme appears in 1 Corinthians 7:

32 I would like you to be free from concern [G3309]. An unmarried man is **concerned ** [G3309] about the Lord's affairs—how he can please the Lord.

It is not a sin to concern G3309 about pleasing God.

33 But a married man is concerned <3309> about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— 34 and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned [G3309] about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned [G3309] about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband.

The English concept of worrying is not a good thing. The Greek original concept of G3309 is ambiguous. It could mean worry or concern, or it could be a good thing.

Is worrying or anxiety a sin?

That depends on whether you are worrying negatively or are concerned positively about something.

How to deal with negative anxiety?

Practice peace as a way of life. Philippians 4:

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious [G3309] about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Look to Jesus. Focus on the Paraclete who dwells in you. He is your peace. Instead of dealing with anxiety on a case-by-case basis, practice the general solution of growing your faith daily. The more you grow spiritually, the less you will experience negative anxiety.