“Do Not Be Anxious…” But, How???

Scriptures: Isaiah 41:10, Psalms 139:1-3

Know That God Values Your Thoughts

You may have already heard the statistic that most of the fears we grapple with are unfounded because the possibility of them occurring is highly unlikely — studies show that about 97 percent of the things we worry about have no grounding in the reality that will eventually unfold. 

Yet, without a doubt, we all face anxieties that are rooted in immutable facts. There’s the chilling medical report, there’s the broken relationship that has no potential to be mended, there’s the prodigal child who seems too far away to come home, there’s chronic disease wearing us down, there’s a pile of rejection letters competing with a pile of mounting bills…and the list goes on. Despite what the statistics say, it feels like our fears are completely logical and valid. 

But here’s the awesome, soul-freeing truth: God knows every one of those facts — and He understands our worries about them. He doesn’t dismiss our anxieties as frivolous or inconsequential. In fact, His Word says that He perceives our thoughts from afar (Psalm 139: 2). If He didn’t value our thoughts, He wouldn’t pay such tender attention to them. If He didn’t care about our concerns, He wouldn’t incline His ear toward our cries. If He didn’t regard our emotions as important, He wouldn’t invite us to cast our anxieties on Him. His thoughts toward us outnumber the grains of sand, He is our ever-present Help in the midst of troubles, and He reminds us that we are more than conquerors through Him. 

Over the next few days of this Bible Plan, we will delve into verses from Philippians 4 and find God-prescribed ways of dealing with our fears and anxieties. 

Faith doesn’t mean an absence of fear. But it’s what we do with those fears that reveal our faith. Are we taking our fears to the Lord because we trust Him through all of life’s unknowns? 

Reflect

What are some of the things that make me fearful and anxious right now? Which of those fears are rooted in reality, and which of them are my thoughts spiraling or my imagination running amok? Have I turned to God with those fears? 

Respond

Father, I thank You that You know my thoughts from afar. I thank You that You never dismiss my real or imagined anxieties. Instead, You invite me to cast my cares on You. Lord, today, even as I spent some time identifying my worries, I also understand that I’m too weak to handle them on my own. So, Lord, I need Thee, O, I need Thee. Every hour I need Thee. Thank You for walking with me through dark valleys and uncertain paths. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Scriptures: Philippians 4:6, Matthew 11:28-30

Hear The Father Heart Of God 

Today, let’s learn from an individual who had every reason to fear. This was someone who didn’t grapple with a “what if?” type of fear. Instead, he experienced the staring-death-in-the-eye type of trials that merited a full-blown panic attack. And yet his faith only seemed to grow stronger through the storms. 

The apostle Paul, who wrote much of the New Testament, was chased down by his enemies, dealt with chronic health problems, suffered debilitating hunger and fatigue, encountered death threats, and experienced shipwreck, imprisonment, and flogging. While Paul was a regular person like you and me, he faced those daunting trials with resilient faith. How did he do it? 

Let’s unpack some verses in Paul’s letter to the Philippians and glean some takeaways to facing the fear-inducing situations we find ourselves in. 

Here’s what Paul writes in Philippians 4, verses 6 and 7: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Over the next few days of this Bible Plan, let’s unpack these verses so we can begin to apply them in our lives. 

Today, hear the Father’s heart of God in the words, “Do not be anxious about anything…” 

When God, through the apostle Paul, says, “Do not be anxious,” He is not simply writing off our anxiety with a resolute command. Instead, He speaks as a loving Father and as a Wonderful Counsellor. He is El Roi — the God who sees. He sees our situation, and He sees our furrowed brow. His Word says that He collects our tears in a bottle. Those four words — ‘Do not be anxious’ — flow from His compassionate and loving Father’s heart. 

He’s not saying, “Hey, hold it together already.” He’s saying, “I hold all things together, so you don’t have to.” He gently tells His children not to worry about “anything” — that includes situations where panic is a legitimate, natural response — because He is sovereign over everything. 

Reflect

When I face anxious situations, what is my first response? Is it to turn first to Google or to God? Is it to turn first to my networks or to get on my knees in prayer? Do I take the time to consider the character of God in the midst of the anxieties? 

Respond

Father God, Thank You for Your Word that reminds me not to be anxious about anything. Even the things and situations that warrant worry are under Your sovereign control. Thank You that You never write off my worries but that You gently remind me that You hold all things together. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Scriptures: Philippians 4:6, Psalms 55:22

Take Your Cares To God 

Today, we will focus on the second part of Philippians 4:6, which says: But in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God

Instead of giving into anxiety and working ourselves into a frenzy, Scripture presents us with a wonderful, freeing alternative that starts with the pivoting word, “but.” Instead of panicking, we are instructed to pray. The freeing privilege of prayer stands in contrast to the trap of anxiety. 

Paul instructs the Philippians to present their requests to God. What a privilege we have to take our needs before our Heavenly Father. 

When do we do that? The verse reminds us that we get to pour out our hearts in prayer “in every situation.” Nothing is too small or inconsequential for God’s tender attention. Nothing is too big or impossible for God’s powerful intervention. 

How do we do that? The verse tells us that it’s by prayer and petition. We go to God in utter and humble dependence, realizing that apart from Him, we can do absolutely nothing. The word “petition” implies desperate neediness. We ask, seek, and knock because we firmly believe that only Jesus can answer. 

There is a beautiful divine exchange in presenting our requests before Him through prayer and supplication: we trade our anxiety for His peace. A peace that defies human understanding. A peace that doesn’t add up by the world’s balance sheets. A peace that envelops our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. 

God knows every detail and nuance of our situation, and yet He urges us to come to Him because in communion with Him, He has the opportunity to flood our anxious hearts with His incomparable, incomprehensible peace. 

Reflect

When I pray, do I truly believe that God is listening and will answer according to His will? Very simply put, God’s solution to anxiety seems to be this: Stop worrying and start praying. How can I put that into action this week? 

Respond

Heavenly Father, What a privilege it is to carry everything to You in prayer. As the old hymn goes, we often forfeit peace because we don’t carry everything to You in prayer. Father, help me to let go of my need to control situations and outcomes. Father, forgive me for acting like prayer is a last resort to which I must resign. Help me to see it as a beautiful opportunity to let go and experience the peace that You give me. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Scriptures: Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Don’t Forget Thanksgiving 

Let’s go back today to the Scripture that we’ve been deep diving into Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4: 6-7)

Wedged into those verses is that small but powerful word, “thanksgiving” — a word that seems to be completely disconnected from anxiousness. In fact, being thankful in the face of fear seems odd, possibly phony. Is Paul recommending that we ‘fake it till we make it’? 

No. We see multiple references in Scripture to how much God hates pretense and posturing. But in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul again says to give thanks in all situations because that is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus. 

All situations? Is that even possible? Can we actually thank God as we wait in that sterile hospital room? Can we thank Him when we are plagued with worry about the future of a prodigal child? Can we thank Him through the storms of a difficult marriage? Isn’t that an unrealistic instruction? Would God actually ask us to do something so counter-intuitive to our anxious state of mind? 

Yes, He would, and, yes, He does because our Creator knows exactly how we are wired and what we need. In turning our eyes to Jesus in thanksgiving, we are able to take our white-knuckle grip off our problems. This is not about faking it, but acknowledging and remembering God in the midst of the hard. Thanksgiving turns our eyes from our situation to our Saviour, from our overwhelming problems to His overwhelming love. 

We don’t give thanks because the situation merits it. We give thanks because of Who He is in the midst of our situation. We give thanks for what He may be doing in and through us when those unbearable trials descend on us. We can hold both our anxiousness and thanksgiving together. His Word tells us to do just that. 

Reflect

Do I tend to paint a picture of my problems in broad strokes, leaving little room to recognize the love of God that envelops me even in the midst of the hard? Can I hold the tension of my anxious thoughts and my thanksgiving before God at the same time? What attributes of God can I be thankful for even during the storm? 

Respond

Father God, I acknowledge today that I often tell myself a solely negative story, and I forget Your hand of blessing in my life. I tend to focus so exclusively on my problems that I overlook how You led me through storms in the past. Lord, help today as I speak to You about my trials to also spend time in thanksgiving. Because even in the wilderness and the weariness, You are with me and Your grace is sufficient. I thank You today because You promise to work all things out for my good and Your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Scriptures: Colossians 3:2, 1 Peter 1:13, Philippians 4:8

Frisk Your Thoughts 

After instructing us about not being anxious but instead presenting our requests to God with thanksgiving, Paul gives us a game plan for ensuring that our thoughts don’t drift back to our worries. 

Here are his words: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4: 8) 

When we find ourselves drifting back to familiar patterns of fear-filled thinking, let’s check them against this list in Scripture. 

Think of it like airport security. What are you allowed to take with you in that carry-on backpack? Thoughts that are untrue, ugly, and ungodly are like banned items at airport security. They are the bottle of shampoo, the pair of scissors, or that Swiss Army knife that must be confiscated and thrown in the trash. Frisk your thoughts. Check them against the truth of God’s Word. Ask God to sieve those thoughts and fill your mind with uplifting thoughts that reflect your trust in a good, good Father. 

Will those anxious thoughts come back? Without a doubt, they will. But as Martin Luther said: “You cannot keep birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.” 

Don’t get comfortable when you find those ‘birds’ flying dangerously close to your head. Instead, go to Scripture and replace the lies with God’s truth. 

Let the peace of God guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus. 

Reflect

Have I measured my thoughts and fears against the checklist of Philippians 4:8? Have I taken the time to identify and discard the thoughts that have no grounding in the truth? Have I prayed about my situation? Have I persisted in prayer till I experienced the peace of God? 

Respond

Father God, You know my thoughts from afar. You know how I tend to play out different situations in my mind till they grip my heart with fear. Father, today I recognize that those patterns of negative, untrue thinking are often a ploy of the enemy to distract me and steal my peace. Today I choose to reject those thoughts and replace them with the truth from Your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Scriptures: Philippians 4:12-13, Hebrews 12:1-2

Learn Paul’s Secret 

Paul lets us in on a secret — the secret of his contentment. He says, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4: 12, 13) 

Paul’s secret was not a five-step formula for unlocking peace. He wasn’t launching a bestseller or selling an online course. His secret was his relationship with Christ — a secret we need to learn, imbibe, and grow in. 

Paul encountered some of the most dreadful situations a person could possibly face. Many times, he knew beforehand the risks he would be taking by going to a new destination to share the good news. But Paul was never anxious. In fact, he was “content in any and every situation” because his peace didn’t come from his circumstances but was found in Christ. 

We each have a choice. We can choose to handle our anxieties on our own. Or we can choose to give them to the Lord through prayer, to be intentional about thanksgiving, and to allow Him to surround us with His peace in the middle of life’s storms. Like Paul, may we too declare, “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” 

You can experience the peace of God in every situation because you can rely on a God “who will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4: 20) 

Reflect

Do I spend time remembering how God has already provided for me in the past? Does reflecting on God’s grace in my previous trials grow my confidence in Who He is? Do I believe that God will meet my every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus? 

Respond

Father God, I know that turbulence in life is inevitable. I’m not immune from those harsh winds that disrupt my journey. But I thank You that I get to take this journey with You right beside me. Thank You that I don’t need to give in to anxiety because You are in perfect control of every detail, including every storm. Today, I lay my anxieties at Your feet. I exchange my panic for Your peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.