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Scripture Reading: Philippians 4

If you’re feeling anxious or worried about anything today, Philippians 4 is a good place to look for help.

I like this passage because the Apostle Paul, who wrote these God-inspired words, doesn’t just tell you not to be anxious, he tells you why you don’t need to be anxious;  he doesn’t just tell you not to dwell on your problems, but he tells you what to dwell on instead.

And I especially like this passage because Paul didn’t write these words while sitting on a grassy hillside at a mountaintop retreat.  He wrote them while being held in chains in a first century prison cell, having been beaten, flogged, and facing possible death at any moment.  If Paul could learn how to be free from anxiety in a situation like that, then we might be able to learn from him how to deal with our anxious thoughts as well.

Here’s what Paul said:

“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). 

Twice he says to “rejoice in the Lord.”

Notice that he doesn’t say you have to rejoice about the difficult situation your facing, but to rejoice in the Lord.  Rather than trying to minimize what you’re facing, Paul is trying to maximize who you’re facing them with:  the Lord.

That’s also the reason why you don’t need to be anxious―because “The Lord is at hand.”  He’s not a God who has taken off to some distant land, but He’s actually very close at all times―“at hand”― within an arm’s reach.

A woman once told me about a time when she was laying in pain on a hospital bed when she looked up to see a cross on the wall.  It wasn’t an empty cross―which has a special significance of its own―but it was a cross depicting the agonizing crucifixion of Jesus.  While it might seem gruesome to look into the face of a man who is experiencing excruciating pain, for this woman it turned out to be one of the greatest comforts of her life.  She was suddenly filled with the realization that Jesus was right there with her―that He knew exactly what she was going through―and He brought her immediate comfort and peace.

Paul also told the Philippians what to focus on in the midst of their troubles:

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me―practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8-9). 

It reminds me of the song that Julie Andrews sang in the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, The Sound of Music.  When the children were afraid of the thunder and lightning outside, she sang:  “When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I’m feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don’t feel so bad.”  For her, some of her favorite things were, “Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens.”

What about you?  What are some of your favorite things?  Or, as Paul asked, what are some things you can think about that are true?  Honorable?  Just?  Pure?  Lovely?  Commendable?  Excellent?  Worthy of praise?  Think about such things―not just as a technique to distract you from your situation, but as a practical way to put your situation into perspective.  For as hard as life can be, there are still things in life which are beautiful and glorious.

Paul learned the secret of being content in every situation, whether he had plenty or was in want.  How?  By continually rejoicing in the Lord, by remembering that God is at hand, and in everything, making his requests known to God.  In one of the most famous verses of the Bible―found at the end of this chapter in Philippians―Paul said:

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). 

If you’re feeling anxious and worried today, read Philippians chapter 4.  Learn from Paul and put into practice what you learn.  As you do, may the God of peace be with you―and may His peace be yours.

Prayer

Father, thank You for giving us practical ways to face the things that cause us to be anxious.  Help us to remember that You are near, and to dwell on those things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise.  In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Memory Verse

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6, ESV).