“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.”
- Philippians 4:4-7
I could easily write 4 or 5 different devotionals from this chapter alone, so it's hard to choose just one verse or even one chunk of verses. There are so many good options and topics that could be addressed in this brief chapter. Church conflict (verses 1-3), Anxiety (verses 4-7), Mindsets (verses 8-9), Contentment (verses 10-13), God’s Providence (verses 14-20), and even greetings (verses 21-22). So now you can go through chunk by chunk on your own as Paul makes his closing remarks to the church. While we certainly have so much to glean from this chapter, often I find I need to come back to this chunk on Anxiety more than the others.
What’s there to be anxious about?
What isn’t there to be anxious about? That might be a better and simpler question. Yet, let's start with the Philippians!
First, they experience social, local, and even regional persecution. They are already aware of Paul’s imprisonment for the Gospel, and since they have been closely aligned with Paul and his work, it’s likely they face persecution and troubles as well. Suddenly because of their faith, they can be searched and seized for any reason under Roman suspicion. And that is just the Christian side of things. They still face all the other anxieties of life too. Where is the money going to come from? What if the dry season lasts longer than usual? What if the crops fail? What if my storefront fails? What if we get sick?
Turns out, many of the anxieties that existed 2,000 years ago can still translate to today. If we think our anxiety is more unique than anyone else’s we are allowing the anxiety to consume us. Some Christians today truly have to wrestle with persecution.
Having just been in Guyana, a nation intermixed with Christians, Hindus, and Muslims. Those who do come to Christ from the other two religions are often cast out of their family. That’s something to be anxious about. Yet even those in America may face stress over finances, especially as inflation continues to go up. Retirements become questioned, and job security is put to the test. Others are worried about climate change and its long-term impact on not only our generation but our kid's generations. On top of it all, we are all pursuing things we are passionate about and trying to make a living and some of it works and some of it doesn’t. Then health complications arise and can throw off everything leaving one powerless to do anything about it. I’m sure you get the point but to clarify it, we live anxious lives. Worry always seems to be around the corner. Security feels as though it is scarce to come by.
An Answer to our Anxiety:
Now some may quote, “do not be anxious about anything,” and leave it at that. Yet that is never helpful and doesn’t point people to Christ. Paul knows this and that’s why he doesn’t stop there!
First, he starts by saying that Christ is near, “the Lord is at hand.” Even before he mentions anxiety or any reason for worry, he upholds the truth that Christ is near to those who rejoice and believe in Him. With His presence in our life, we truly can get to a point where we are not anxious about anything, for Christ is there. Does that change the stressful situation or belittle the person who does get anxious? No! But Christ is the first foundation we stand on even when we are stressed and anxious. Then we can go to Him.
After affirming His presence, and that we can get anxious, we are tasked to pray. We don’t pray away the anxiety, and we certainly don’t pray to ignore our anxiety. Instead, the task is to let every request be made known to God. Our every need, our every anxiety. If it disturbs you or unsettles you, you pray that over to God! Yes, He is all-knowing but He wants you to call to Him. So make your anxieties known to God, list them off, and pray them over.
Will God answer your prayers with money, a job, and good relationships? He could, He might, but there is something greater than the temporary rest from anxiety that those miracles would bring. Instead through His presence and listening ear, He can provide a peace that lasts through all anxieties. This is a peace not found in this world, otherwise, it would be temporary, but instead is peace from Him. We cannot comprehend it but you know it when you experience it, and it truly is a peace surpassing all understanding.
Being in one’s 20’s I have heard is the decade of transitions. Yes, there are many transitions throughout life but it seems each year there is something. College, Graduate School, Marriage, Various Social Circles, Career Hunting, and so on. It’s hard to believe that I’m 24 and have seen as many transitions as I have already, and I know there are more on my horizon. It definitely does not feel like a decade of peace, and yet, I have tasted more of this peace than ever before. It is my comfort and protects me from my own mind that questions everything. His peace has guided decisions, and His peace is something I look for daily.
Final Blessing:
With this, we close out Paul’s letter to the Philippians. We read about Abounding Affection for each other in Christ and the Gospel. About partnering with each other for the mission of the Gospel. Further how the Gospel helps us move away from what is Rubbish in our lives and toward Christ’s Righteousness. The Gospel also directs us in our anxieties to go to Christ, bringing every worry and request to Him and receive not solutions but peace.
Now may the Lord of Life and Redemption be with you in every step, every breath, and every heartbeat of your journey.
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