Do not worry about anything but instead pray to God about it – Philippians 4: 6-7

The words in Philippians chapter 4 and verses 6 to 7 are reassuring and comforting words. They tell us to not worry about anything but rather take your anxieties to God in prayer. He will guard your heart and mind.

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: 6-7

All of us face times of stress in our lives. Maybe we have been diagnosed with cancer, or we have seriously injured our self, or we worry about the security of our job, or a dearly loved family member is suffering because of something in their life. It can cause terrible emotional anxiety or worry. Yet, Paul is telling us here to not worry about anything but instead approach God in prayer.

Do not be anxious about anything

We are being told to not be anxious about anything. But this command can be very difficult to receive and even more difficult to put into practise in our daily lives. The fact is that we do worry – all of us do it – some more than others. But God’s Word is saying to don’t do it.

It can be very difficult to stop worrying, but when we think about it, there is some good common sense in the words. The problems of life can be divided into two classes: those that can be resolved and those that cannot. If they can be resolved, we must do something about them and they will soon cease to be problems; in which case worry is a hindrance rather than a help. If they cannot be resolved, they must be endured; and in this case worry will not help either. So in either case worry is useless.

Self-destruction

Christ also has something to say about worry and being anxious.

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6: 31-34

It is well-known that worry can ruin our health. But it can also ruin our spiritual health and that is so serious that the Lord God forbids it.

To understand the words, let’s first look at what they don’t mean. They do not mean that we should make no provision for the future. In other words, they don’t mean we should spend all our money in a frivolous way and not worry about how we are going to pay for our food which we need to sustain us tomorrow. They also don’t mean we should be a person has a stoic indifference to their own troubles or the troubles of others. Rather it is saying when we face these problems do not dwell on them but rather go to God in prayer.

The anxieties of the Apostles

Paul says to not worry…to not be anxious about anything. However, the Phlippians had a lot of things to worry about. The brethren there were being opposed and persecuted. The message they were teaching was being misunderstood and distorted. Paul was being held as a prisoner in Rome so there was little he could do to help. One of the believers, Epaphroditus, nearly died while on a mercy visit to Paul in Rome. Also, they had differences amongst themselves. Therefore, they had plenty to worry about. Even Paul had things to worry about as he was jail waiting for Roman justice. Yet, Paul writes to do not be anxious about anything.

There was a similar situation with Peter. This is what he wrote:

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

It is a terrible picture of the “devil” roaming around like a roaring lion seeking whom he was going to devour. The “devil” is referring to the Romans. There was a hardening attitude of Rome towards Christians and the danger was growing. Many Christians were brought before the courts and falsely accused of crimes they never committed. Nero himself made false accusations against Christians and ordered their deaths. So the figure of a roaring lion stalking his prey is an accurate illustration of the ferocity of Rome against the Christians in the days of Nero. So the brethren had plenty to worry about. But Peter tells them to not be anxious and worry.

There was also a similar position in the last days of the life of the Lord Jesus. Dark clouds were gathering. The rulers were plotting his death. One disciple (Judas) was ready to betray him and all the others were filled with foreboding. There was plenty to worry about. Yet like Peter, like Paul, the Lord told them to not be anxious.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27

The Lord Jesus was a few hours away from the Cross, and he knew what was coming. So, in theory, he had plenty to worry about…yet, he said to “Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid”.  What reassuring words for them but also for us.

Thanksgiving

Paul in Philippians 4:6-7 tells us how deal with worry. We handle it with a spirit of thanks giving and prayer. If we do that then worry and anxiety will be placed with the peace of God. It is not possible to have the peace of God and at the same time be full of anxiety. They cannot coexist.

Thanksgiving involves giving gratitude for what God has done in the past. It is important that we do this. There are so many things in life for which we can thank God. Sometimes it is good to sit quietly and reflect over your past life the things God has done for you.

Prayer

Besides thanksgiving, worry can also be handle with prayer.

What is the problem that is worrying you? A past sin? Some disease in yourself or a loved one? The difficulty of making ends meet? The loss of a loved one? Trying circumstances at work or difficult people to live with? Whatever it is, says Paul, take it to God in prayer.

Do not think that He is not interested in trivial things….Paul says to not be anxious about anything and to take everything to God in prayer.

The next time we are faced with a serious problem and it causes us anxiety, we should sit down and think. We shall look at the way the Lord has led us and in gratitude remember what He has done. And then we shall commit ourselves and our problem to the Lord in prayer.

After we pray to God we can wait for the response. It may be that, in His wisdom, God will open the way, the difficulties will be eased and the problems solved. And should it be so, we must be grateful and tell God so. But it may not be so. In His wisdom God may leave the burden where it is, fairly and squarely on our shoulders. He did so with Paul’s thorn in the flesh, but he was given strength to bear it. If that is the position, we must accept it, believing that ultimately we shall see the wisdom of God and thank Him that He led us that way.

Peace

So when in gratitude we remember God’s goodness in the past, and we commit ourselves and the future to God in prayer, then, says the apostle, worry and anxiety will give place to the peace of God.

There is the example of Paul and Silas who were locked away in a damp, dark dungeon in a prison in Philippi. There feet were locked in the stocks, their backs bleeding and they were in pain because of the beating they had received. It seems they were unable to sleep because of the pain. Yet, we are told:

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, Acts 16:25

This really is a great example from the man who said “do not be anxious about anything”.

Conclusion

Worry and anxiety can be hard to avoid but they do not achieve anything except ill-health. We can put our trust in God and demonstrate that trust by belief in the Gospel truths and baptism into the name of Jesus. As members of God’s family we have a marvellous privileges including pray where we can call upon God as our father when we are faced with problems that are making us anxious. God knows what is best for us. If we lay our problems and worries before Him, then we shall know that whatever happens is for our benefit—though it may be hard to see at the time.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

No situation, however difficult will separate us from the love of God.

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39