Word of Encouragement (5/28/2021)

Today, we will reflect on Phil. 4:6-7: “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.”

What are you anxious about these days? It is helpful to remember what kind of situation Paul was in when he wrote these words. He was in prison, awaiting a trial, which could lead to his execution. And he was writing to the Philippian Christians, who lived in a city, whose citizens beat Paul and threw him into prison. He acknowledged that they were involved in the same “conflict” that he was in (1:30). He had to tell them not to be frightened by these opponents (1:28) precisely because they posed a threat. How could they not be anxious?

Paul was not discounting the danger the Philippians faced. He was very much aware of it because he felt the full brunt of it himself. Yet, he was able to tell them not to be anxious. He was not giving them a Stoic solution to grit their teeth and bear it with the force of their indomitable will. He was not simply giving them practical advice that being anxious would do them no good and only deplete their emotional reserve. Of course, being anxious is indeed useless. Jesus said, “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life” (Matt. 6:27)? It is foolish to be anxious about something that has not happened yet (and may never happen!) even though it is difficult not to be anxious when we are worried. It is better to use that energy to do something to prevent or prepare ourselves for it.

While that is true, that was not why Paul told the Philippians not to be anxious. Knowing full well the gravity of the danger they faced, he could boldly command them not to be anxious because they could pray to the one and only true, almighty God! Of course, being able to pray to God with the expectation that He would hear and answer is a privilege, not an inalienable right. Sinners cannot hope to reach the ear of God no matter how loud or desperate their cry is: “Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear” (Isa. 59:1-2). If our prayers can reach the ear of God, it is only because of Jesus Christ, who removed our sins and iniquities that made a separation between God and us. We can say that Jesus suffered and died so we can pray to God in intimate communion with Him!

The ultimate antidote to anxiety is prayer. When we feel anxious, we should see that as God calling us to come to the throne of His grace and pray: “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” One of the old gospel songs I used to sing says, “You can pray. Why are you anxious?” Are you anxious about anything? Why don’t you pray, “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7)?