Philippians 4:6-7
Most people suffer anxiety at some stage in their lives. Even those who appear calm outwardly are susceptible. We are all different and we need to bear with each other as anxiety can set in during these times.
Anxiety is defined as ‘a feeling of worry, nervousness or unease about something with an uncertain outcome’. It can be that in the life of a believer, trials may cause anxiety. Some trials can be visible to others and there are others which are only known to the believer. We can be assured that God has an answer as to how to overcome these anxious times.
‘Be careful (anxious) for nothing …’
It may come as a surprise, but this is what God wants us to do. The apostle Paul to the Philippians gives a threefold action plan which we can consider as three questions.
- What is happening?
- What must happen?
- What will happen?
What is happening?
The word ‘careful’ (merimnaō) can mean ‘anxious’ or ‘troubled with cares’. When we live on this earth, we have needs and we might worry or trouble about how these needs would be met. These needs can be physical, mental, medical, financial and so on. A lack of clarity and uncertainty of the outcome leads to anxiety. This word ‘merimnaō’ occurs 19 times in the New Testament; it is used by the Lord seven times in His sermon on the mount (Matt 6:25-34) and six times in one section of Luke’s gospel (Luke 12:11-26). There is overlap in the context. The Lord questions the multitude and the disciples on things they worry about and reminds them that they are not in control.
- Their sustenance (Matt 6:26) – Who feeds the fowls of the air?
- Their life (Matt 6:27) – Who adds one cubit to one’s stature?
- Their clothing (Matt: 6:28) – Who arrays the lilies of the field?
- Their future (Matt 6:34) – Who has control over tomorrow?
The Lord reminds them that God is in control; He commands them to seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and declares that all the above will be added to them. David could declare that he has never seen the righteous forsaken (Psa 37:25). We have been declared righteous through our faith in the Lord Jesus. God cares for us (1 Pet 5:7) and sent His beloved Son to lay down His life on the cross for our sins. We need to rest in this truth.
What must happen?
The apostle Paul lays out three things that are needful in this situation: ’… but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God’.
- ‘Prayer’ – The apostle requests us to take ‘everything’ to the Lord in prayer. ‘Everything’ is the complete opposite of ‘nothing’! The play on words that we should worry about ‘nothing’ but take ‘everything’ to God is wonderful. This can be achieved by praying ‘without ceasing’ (1 Thes 5:17) where we have unlimited access and time to our creatorial God through the Son.
- ‘Supplication’ – The word means ‘need or want’. We are reminded to be specific in our prayer requests. We may pray generally for the country or world events, but we are encouraged to be specific. God is willing to hear any request even those considered to be insignificant. In this epistle, the apostle was specific in his entreaty regarding the division within the church at Philippi as he mentioned the names of the sisters involved, as well as the person (the ‘true yokefellow’) who could help them resolve it (Phil 4:2-3).
- ‘Thanksgiving’– ‘In everything give thanks.’ (1 Thes 5:18). This is ‘the will of God’. As we have access to take ‘everything’ to God in prayer, it is only appropriate to give thanks in ‘everything’. When the Lord healed the ten lepers, the only one who gave thanks was the Samaritan (Luke 17:11-19). We need to be like that one man, we, having been cleansed of our sins, should give thanks with a faithful heart for all the blessings bestowed upon us day by day.
What will happen?
The ‘And’ at the start of verse 7 indicates that what follows is the result of our obedience to verse 6. We know we have peace ‘with’ God since we have been justified by faith (Rom 5:1). This verse is different and refers to the practical outworking in our lives. An unbeliever may be calm and composed in anxious situations by use of their knowledge, judgement, and intellect. But the peace that rests within a believer ‘passeth all understanding’. It is not based on the intellect or understanding of men. It ‘shall keep’ our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. This means it shall guard, garrison, or protect by military might the attack of the enemy. This is the peace we have regarding our standing in front of an all mighty God and the security of an eternity to be spent praising God. This should not be affected by the trials of our daily lives.
Let us worry about ‘nothing’, take ‘everything’ to God in prayer and supplication, giving thanks for ‘everything’ and the peace of God shall protect our hearts and minds through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Christo