Biblical Principles for Performance Anxiety

Finding Peace in the Presence of God: an article based on my podcast interview with Dr. David Alexander on The Virtuous Mind, a podcast of Providence Christian College in Pasadena, CA

Preparation can help ease performance anxiety, but is preparation everything?

I still remember my senior recital. I had prepared for months, practicing every phrase, every dynamic marking, every transition. But when the day finally came, I was a wreck. I was nervous, short-tempered, and afterward—I’m ashamed to admit—I neglected to give credit where credit was due.

At first glance, these reactions seem normal, even relatable. After all, nerves are part of performing, right? But looking back, that experience was more than just stage fright—it was a window into a deeper theological issue: performance anxiety not just as a psychological struggle, but as a spiritual one.

What is Performance Anxiety, Really?

The world often tells us that performance anxiety can be overcome with better preparation, more confidence, or simply positive thinking. While these tools have value, they miss the heart of the issue. As Christians, our responses to stress and pressure reveal what we truly believe in those moments—our functional theology.

Theoretical theology is what we say we believe. Functional theology is what our actions show we believe. If we say God is sovereign, that our identity is in Christ, and that our worth is secure in Him—but crumble with fear and self-centeredness under pressure—then we have a disconnect between belief and practice.

This doesn’t mean nerves are sinful. Nerves are normal. But when fear starts to control our behavior—when it hinders us from acting or causes us to lash out—that’s when we’re dealing with more than butterflies in the stomach. That’s when it's time to ask deeper questions.

Three Questions to Diagnose the Heart

In my podcast interview with Dr. David Alexander on The Virtuous Mind, a podcast of Providence Christian College in Pasadena, CA, I walk through three theological questions that can help uncover the spiritual root of performance anxiety:

1. Who do you worship? If your heart is consumed with how others see you, your worship may have shifted from God to man.

   
   

2. Where is your identity? If your sense of worth hinges on your success or applause, then your identity may be rooted in achievement rather than adoption.

   
   

3. What does providence have to do with it? A play on words, yes—but a serious point. Do you trust God’s sovereign hand in all outcomes, even ones that don’t go as planned? Do you trust that He has placed you exactly where He wants you?

   
   

Psalm 23 and the Sovereignty of God

Psalm 23 reminds us that even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death—or in this case, the terrifying stage lights and scrutinizing eyes—we need not fear evil. “For you are with me.” That’s the kind of truth that reorients our hearts.

When we believe God is sovereign, and our identity is secure in Him, we’re free to perform—not for approval, but from a place of peace. That’s the growth mindset Christians are called to. One that’s marked by humility, rest, and dependence on God, no matter the outcome.

Looking to the Example of Jesus

Jesus, the only perfect performer in history, carried out His mission without fear of man. He served, He obeyed, He suffered—and He did it all for the glory of the Father. If He could entrust Himself to the One who judges justly (1 Peter 2:23), in Him, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, so can we.

Practical Steps & Resources

If you're struggling with performance anxiety—whether in music, school, ministry, or everyday life—here are a few practical ways to renew your mind:

• Memorize Scripture like Psalm 23, Romans 8, or Colossians 3:23.

• Pray before performances, surrendering outcomes to God.

• Ask a friend or mentor to help you evaluate your heart posture.

• Read or listen to these excellent resources:

  • When People Are Big and God Is Small by Ed Welch

  • Trusting God by Jerry Bridges

  • Transformed Podcast and TV Show by Dr. Greg Gifford

  • New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp

You’re Not Alone—And You Don’t Have to Perform Alone

If you or your child are learning to navigate music and performance with a gospel-centered mindset, we would love to walk alongside you. We offer lessons for all ages, including lessons in how to play worship music for your local church. Click here to learn more about music lessons at Adelaide Music.

Performance doesn’t have to be a place of panic—it can become a place of peace, growth, and joy when it’s rooted in truth.

This blog post was written with the assistance of Chat GPT.