Philippians 4:6 Do Not Be Anxious #179
It’s been awhile since I have shared a verse on Monday and so I am excited to share today. Somehow I have shared 178 verses without sharing Philippians 4:6-7. Or maybe I have and I forgot. Either way, it’s a verse that seems so relevant as I have been dealing with anxiety. It says, “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 past two weeks I have started to experience physical manifestations of anxiety. This started just a few days after Colby’s dad passed away and has continued to try to present itself. While I haven’t had a clean bill of no stress or anxiousness in my lifetime, I have never experienced anything quite like this. And I have found as I have talked to several people that I am definitely not the only one. Yesterday I decided to write out several verses on peace and as I wrote out Philippians 4:6 I knew I wanted to share it today.
Philippians 4:6 verse commands every person to “not be anxious about anything.” That seems easier said than done, huh? However, if this is a command straight from God then it’s because he knows that there is nothing that you have faced, are facing, or will face that you need to be anxious about. This verse doesn’t give you permission to be anxious about some things or be anxious every once in awhile, but it’s a command for you to never be anxious. About anything. Ever.
And what are you to do in absolutely every situation? “But in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” When this verse says “every situation” it means there is not one area of your life that God doesn’t care about. Instead he wants you to seek him with both prayer and petition. God wants you to not only communicate with him, but he wants you to make your requests known to him as well. Yes, he knows your desires but he wants you to present every desire before him, with thanksgiving. When you approach Christ with praise, then there will be no room for bitterness or anxiety.
What happens when you seek God with thanksgiving? An unexplainable peace from Jesus will overwhelm you. It will guard your heart and your mind and when you are filled with His peace there will be no room for any anxiety.
Anxiety is not from God. It’s not what he desires. It’s not what he intends. It’s not what he has created his children to experience. He desires peace, not anxiousness. Whenever you feel stressed or anxious, talk to God about it. Remember there is nothing that you are going through or thinking about that is out of his reach. He wants you to approach him in all areas of life and when you do, you will experience his never-ending peace.
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Kavin Lee
Posted at 09:16h, 15 MayI wish you had expanded upon anxiety as a mental illness, rather than something that just sometimes occurs during stressful times or life changes, before writing this post. Anxiety and infertility are very common and many of us struggling can identify with this.. I know its not your intent from this article but I now feel that my lifetime struggle with anxiety is sinful as I should be able to just pray it away. But it’s something I have to work at every day. and probably for the rest of my life.
Val Coleman
Posted at 17:12h, 15 MayMy husband suffered with anxiety and it would cause chest pains and the sorts, but her needing to expand on it is not fair to say because in her eyes and her recent experience, she overcame her anxiety with that scripture. It blessed her and gave her peace. My husband no longer suffers with anxiety and it was not something he had to take meds for, but God miraculously healed him! We are suffering with male factor infertility but it can be miraculously reversed as well. God is able! I encourage you to continue to work at it Kavin, but also let that scripture bring healing to you. I am living proof that anxiety can flee!
Rebecca Jo
Posted at 10:25h, 15 MayThat is the verse on my mirror to pray every morning <3
Carissa Maul
Posted at 14:06h, 16 MayThis is one of my favorite verses. Sometimes anxiety rears it’s ugly head in my life too, most often when I am presented with a stressful situation. I find that taking a moment to stop and pray for peace helps to calm my anxieties and brings a peace in my situation which allows me to really work it out rather than fretting about it. Thanks for sharing today!
Amanda
Posted at 14:56h, 17 MayThank you for this…
Peggy Overstreet
Posted at 14:58h, 19 MayI love that the”antidote” is first … rejoice! Why? The Lord is near! So comforting to me.
Andrea
Posted at 17:16h, 19 MayWhat a great reminder to pray when we get anxious and not to freak out!
Amanda
Posted at 19:06h, 19 MayThank you for the reminder! So important to remember this!