Philippians 3-4

There are two verses in our reading today that I repeat to myself more than any other verses in the Bible, with the exception of Proverbs 3:5-6.  I need to hear them every day of my life.  They are given to me by a loving Heavenly Father who wants me to know I can trust Him for everything and in any circumstance.  The verses are Philippians 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. ⁷And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

With complete clarity and no ambiguity God commands us not to be anxious about anything.  Some will immediately think thoughts such as these: “How unrealistic that is – we are only human, we have to worry.  This verse is setting us up for failure.  There is no way we can obey it.”   

But God is not trying to mire us in guilty thinking.  He is trying to spare us from unnecessary, harmful, and even paralyzing fear.  He gives us the antidote to being anxious.  Instead of worrying, we can take everything to Him in prayer.  This begs the question, “Why worry when we can pray?”  

How far do we take this command from God?  Look what it says.  Do not be anxious about ANYTHING.  One may say, “Surely there are some exceptions.  Shouldn’t I worry about catching some disease?”  Nope!  “Can’t I worry about my family?”  Nope!  “Would it be okay to worry about my finances?”  Nope!  Are you beginning to see a pattern here?  I hope so.  

Look at what else it says.  “But in EVERYTHING by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”  

Let me paraphrase for simplicity.  “Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything.”  Pray with such confidence in God that you can thank Him in advance for His loving care.  Don’t forget those two words in the middle of v. 6 - “with thanksgiving.”

What is the result of casting all these cares on God?  His peace which surpasses all understanding will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.  The word for guard is a military term.  It means the peace of God will mount up like soldiers on horses and guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  We are well protected.  

We are told, “Do not be anxious about anything.”  Impossible?  Certainly – except for one further clarification a few verses later.  “I can do all things through him [Christ] who strengthens me” – 4:13.  

When worries come knocking at the door, let Jesus answer it.  

Paul Thompson