We live in a time in which many people are anxious. The rise of anxiety disorder diagnoses are on the rise. Between COVID-19, job market issues, stock market uncertainty, and political tensions; people are very, very anxious. How can we as Christians live differently than that? Paul gives us the answer in Philippians 4:6-7, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Paul is giving his final instructions to the Philippians. He is telling them how to live a life of faith, and how to deal with difficulties in their life. These verses have a nice logical flow. It begins with a command, “do not be anxious.” Then, it tells us how to fulfill that command. The antidote to anxiety is prayer. The result of praying is that we will have the peace of God. But how can we not have anxiety when things are so stressful?
- Pray for others. Part of the meaning of the word for “supplication” is making petitions. As I said yesterday, it’s not denying that we have problems; it is choosing to focus our energy and attention on something else. If we just look around us, we can definitely find someone who has it worse than we do.
- Pray for your own needs. Paul clearly says that we should pray. What we pray about is what we trust God for. What we don’t pray about, we are trusting ourselves to fix. All the worrying we do never solves the problem does it? Worrying is like running on a treadmill, no matter how fast you go, you end up getting off at the same place you got on. Praying and giving our burden over to God takes it off our plate, and puts it on the plate of the One who not only loves us, but the only One who can do something about our problems.
- Remember that God is in control. When Paul talks about the peace of God guarding our heart and mind, he is reminding us that God is in control. When I am praying about something, remembering that God is in control, it will give me peace. It also reminds me that no matter what is happening in my life, God is ultimately in control. And since I am one of His children, He is going to work all things out for His glory and my good (see Rom. 8:28).
We are certainly living in crazy times. There are plenty of reasons for people to be anxious. What a blessing as a child of God that we don’t have to worry or be anxious. We can pray and trust that God is in control and He is going to work all things out. No matter what happens to me, I win. That is peace! If I wake up tomorrow morning, I win because God is still in control of my life. And If I die tonight, I win because I am in His presence. Praise God for His love, grace, and His peace!
By His grace and for His glory,
Pastor Justin