Don't Be Anxious

Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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.”

            Paul wrote Philippians while in prison. It was a response to aid he had received from the church in Philippi, which is the recipient of this letter. Paul expresses that he is at peace with his current situation, which is a large theme in this letter or book (1). One thing he is at peace with is death. He says that if he lives, he can continue to spread Christ’s message to others, but if he dies he gains eternal life and permanent relief from his sufferings (Phil. 1:21). Paul uses his present situation to encourage the church in Philippi to be joyful during persecution. They should imitate his attitude towards suffering and to trust God for everything they need (1). His encouragement includes pleading with the church to stay unified through persecution. He also reminds them that Christ endured much suffering for their forgiveness and relationship with Him.

            Philippians 4 is the final chapter of Paul’s letter, so these are his closing thoughts to the church of Philippi. He tells how he longs to be with them. The believers are encouraged to be of one mine and willing to help each other. Paul saw the benefit of their assistance and he knew they would be of comfort to each other (3).

Read Philippians 4:4-9

            Paul encourages the church in Philippi to rejoice, “chairo” (khah’-ee-ro), meaning to be cheerful, calmly happy or well-off, or to be glad or joyful (2). And he says they are to rejoice always; not when they feel like it or when their circumstances are positive, but always. Then he gives a tool to combat anxiety. Instead of being anxious, believers are told to pray with thanksgiving. This will give them the “peace of God” to guard them from their anxieties (Phil. 4:7). After they have prayed, then Paul tells them to think of anything good and pure and everything they have been taught. They should put this into practice and God’s peace will continue to be with them (Phil 4:8-9). God is a fountain of peace, who wants to freely give rest to the mind and body, not fear and anxiety (3).

            When you become anxious because of your current situation, an event occurring in the near future, finances, relationships, or anything else, this passage of scripture in Philippians is an encouragement to you. There are steps you can take that allow God to take over your thoughts and your situation in order to ease your anxiety and turn that into trusting Him. Prayer is still a powerful tool today. It can change your heart and your situation. Most importantly is draws you near to the Father’s heart. Then your mind can focus on truth: that God is fighting for you and cares for all of your needs, that you are redeemed by the blood of Christ, that you can continue to rely on God because He is faithful.

           

            What makes you anxious? Write out a prayer for when you are anxious that you can lift up to God. Then, make a list of all the good things He has done for you.

1.Schenck, Kenneth. Jesus Is Lord!: an Introduction to the New Testament. Triangle Publishing, 2009.

2.Strong, James (2001). The New Strong’s Expanded Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible: Red-letter Edition. Thomas Nelson.

3.Water, M., Henry, M., Wesley, J., & Spurgeon, C. H. (2003). Parallel commentary on the New Testament: Charles Spurgeon, John Wesley, Matthew Henry. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.