Don’t Fall Apart
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6
I don’t need to ask you if you’ve ever been anxious. We all are. Anxiety about our children, our jobs, a doctor’s appointment, bills, the state of the economy or gas prices, the church, the future. Humanity is consumed by anxiety. We live in a time that has taught us to worry about everything, all the time. God’s Word does not ignore this struggle. It confronts it head-on. Paul isn’t writing these words from a quiet beach. He’s writing them from prison. With chains on his wrists. Yet he speaks of peace. But be careful. Paul doesn’t say, “Never feel anxious,” but “Do not be anxious.” The Greek term refers to a “mind torn in pieces.” Anxiety is the mind racing in a thousand directions, imagining a thousand scenarios—all negative. It’s human. Even Jesus in Gethsemane felt anguish. Anxiety becomes a problem when it shifts from an emotion to a controlling force, when it is no longer something we feel but something that controls and commands us. If you’re anxious, God doesn’t condemn you or scold you. He invites us to do something about our anxiety immediately: “but in everything….”
When anxiety overwhelms you, the remedy is unique, simple, and within everyone’s reach. Paul urges us not to dwell on the problem, agonizing over it relentlessly, but to go to the safe place—that is, the prayer room. This is the believer’s attitude, the expression of faith: it does not deny reality, nor does it hide the difficulty; rather, it brings it to the foot of God’s throne in three interconnected ways—prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving. First and foremost, worship. Before laying out what troubles me and asking for an immediate solution, I must lift my gaze from myself and turn it toward my God, contemplating His Majesty. As long as I remain focused on the problem, God will seem small to me. If, on the other hand, I lift my gaze to the immense and almighty God, I will not be able to help but worship Him, and the problem will return to its proper perspective. Only then will I present my supplication—that is, my specific request. Don’t be vague; feel free to describe the details. He knows everything we need, but we sometimes don’t! And now believe that the burden is no longer yours. In fact, this is the moment of thanksgiving—the true turning point. Give thanks first, when you ask, and not afterward. That is why it is an act of complete faith. Anxiety makes you doubt; thanksgiving affirms that God is already at work.
The result is not the solution, but “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (v. 7). When you take refuge in the prayer room, God posts a guard. The verb “to guard” in Greek is a military term, describing a soldier standing watch before a city to prevent the enemy from entering. God’s peace is a garrison before your heart—the seat of your emotions—and before your mind—the seat of your reasoning. While a storm still rages outside, a soldier inside keeps the turmoil at bay. The noise from outside will never be louder than His presence within. It is an illogical peace, “which surpasses all understanding.” Anxiety wants to tear you to pieces, and you cannot overcome it by reasoning it out. Your weapon is prayer, capable of putting your shattered pieces back together and keeping you in peace. Today, take that “little thing” that is tearing you apart and dividing your mind, and bring it to God. Don’t distinguish between what’s big or serious—whatever it may be: worship Him, ask specifically, and give thanks by faith. And then get up and let His peace take your place on watch. Perhaps today you can’t change the situation that’s causing you anguish, but there’s one thing you can do right now: stop, close your eyes, and bring your request before God, with thanksgiving. May the Lord guard your heart today.
Weekly Bible Reading Plan # 41
October 5 Isaiah 23–25; Philippians 1
October 6 Isaiah 26–27; Philippians 2
October 7 Isaiah 28–29; Philippians 3
October 8 Isaiah 30–31; Philippians 4
October 9 Isaiah 32–33; Colossians 1
October 10 Isaiah 34–36; Colossians 2
October 11 Isaiah 37–38; Colossians 3
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