When the “Check Engine” Light Comes On

What the Bible Says About Anxiety

thoughts taken from Pastor Bob DeAngelo

Have you ever been driving down the interstate, enjoying the open road and a week off, when suddenly that little orange light appears on your dashboard—

the dreaded “Check Engine” light?

It’s vague.

it’s unsettling.

And it means something isn’t quite right under the hood.

In a similar way, worry and anxiety can be the “check engine light” of the heart.

They don’t always tell us exactly what’s wrong, but they do tell us something deeper needs attention.

Anxiety Is Real—And the Bible Talks About It

The Apostle Paul knew something about life’s pressures. When he wrote his letter to the Philippians, he wasn’t sitting by the beach; he was under house arrest in Rome, chained to a Roman guard. And yet, his message was astonishing:

“Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, rejoice” (Philippians 4:4).

Just a few verses later, he gives this command:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6).

God wouldn’t have told us not to be anxious if it weren’t something we all wrestle with.

The Bible is full of examples—

King Saul, tormented by fear
David, who wrote “Fret not yourself because of evildoers” (Psalm 37:1)
Martha, worried and troubled about many things (Luke 10:41)
and even Peter, who reminded believers to “cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

Anxiety isn’t new, and it isn’t rare.

It’s part of living in a fallen world—but it’s not where God wants us to stay.

What Does Anxiety Say About the Heart?

Theologian R.C.H. Lenski once said that anxiety means “to be of a divided mind.”

That’s exactly what happens when we say,

“I trust God, but I’m worried about the future.”

“I trust God, but I don’t know how this situation will turn out.”

A divided mind says, “I believe God is good—but what if…?”

A peaceful mind says,

“I trust God. Period.”

That’s easier said than done, of course.

But it’s the direction God invites us to move toward—one step, one prayer at a time.

When Anxiety Is Complicated

Not all anxiety is simple.

The Psalmist in Psalm 42 even spoke to his own soul, asking,

“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me?”

He wasn’t pretending his feelings didn’t exist—he was wrestling honestly with them.

Sometimes anxiety is spiritual, sometimes emotional, and sometimes even physical.

As D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones—both a pastor and physician—once said,

“We are strange creatures made up of body, mind, and spirit. These are interrelated and react upon one another.”

That means part of addressing anxiety may involve spiritual trust, part emotional care, and sometimes even a medical checkup.

It’s okay to acknowledge that.

The Danger of Letting Worry Stay

Anxiety may start as a harmless “bug” on the wall of your mind, but if left unchecked, it can become like an intruder that threatens your peace and spiritual health.

Paul’s command—“Be anxious for nothing”—isn’t a harsh rebuke.

It’s a loving warning.

God knows that anxiety, like poison in a toddler’s hand, can be destructive if we cling to it.

His command to let go is an act of mercy, not judgment.

“The peace of God, which passes (or surpasses) all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).

That’s not poetic language—it’s a promise.

When Anxiety Reveals an Idol

This one’s harder to hear, but it’s important.

Church father Augustine once said,

“Worry, sadness, and deep depression are smoke from the fires rising from the altars of our idolatry.”

In other words, if you follow the trail of your worries, you might find what your heart treasures most.

Are you anxious about success? Maybe you’ve placed identity or approval above God.
Are you anxious about control? Maybe you’ve elevated self-reliance.

Anxiety often reveals where we’ve replaced trust in God with trust in something else.

Like the “check engine” light, anxiety isn’t our enemy—it’s a signal.

It invites us to look “under the hood” and return our hearts to the God who loves us, provides for us, and never changes.

The Invitation of Philippians 4

When Paul says, “Be anxious for nothing,” he’s not calling us to ignore our feelings.

He’s calling us to bring them to God—in prayer, with thanksgiving, trusting that He hears and cares.

When we do, something supernatural happens:

God replaces panic with peace.
Worry gives way to worship.

The “check engine” light turns off, and our hearts rest again in the One who never fails.

Reflection Questions

What does your anxiety reveal about where your heart is trusting right now?
Have you brought your concerns to God with thanksgiving—or have you been trying to fix them alone?
Where can you intentionally rest in God’s promises today?

“The peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).

thoughts taken from Pastor Bob DeAngelo’s sermon, “What Does the Bible Say About Worry & Anxiety?” on Sunday morning, October 5, 2025.