By Fenter Northern
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Php 4:6
What is the matter with Paul? Sounds purely simplistic when a tough, biting crisis is having its day. If this is to prove the big examining day of our faith, who will make an A? God’s children have faced crises after crises since Eden, dying in them. The dying is not as worrisome as maintaining the grit it takes to live through it. Consequently, when this text comes to our mind in the midst of a crisis as this that causes so much distraction, social disorder, and anxiety, our faith is greatly taxed to live up to its calling.
Still, Paul is writing a letter to the Philippians (and each Christian) an uplifting encouragement as if it is an easy accomplishment when we all know it is extremely difficult. Anxieties run high when lives are at stake; a lethal pandemic makes all Christians aware of that. Persecution was a real threat to the church at Philippi; they needed this said to them as well as all Christians down through the painful corridors of history. Never be anxious over anything? Surely this must be an overstatement!
But some philosophies of men also have called for a stiff bracing up when hardships come raining down hard in life. But there is a big difference when a philosophy says be brave, be strong, and that which Paul is saying here by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. When men philosophize about hardships, and tell mankind not to be anxious, that’s the end of it. They can go no further. Paul goes further because he is speaking to the soul, revealing that Christians have a provisional power flowing from an uncommon source. He adds a big “BUT” that makes all the difference. “Never be anxious, BUT…”; then he reveals the secret source to help your anxieties.
He says, “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.” Php 4:6 ,7.
The apostle knows Christians can’t handle awful anxieties by themselves – must not even try to. You Christians, he seems to be saying, are yoked with Christ, let Him help you bear the load. Do this in everything,” he says.” No matter what hardship befalls, take it to God in prayer. It takes no evangelist coming along on TV offering sensational, supernatural, healing for your “seed offering” you must send to his address.
Paul’s urgency is to Just quietly cast all your care on Him, for He cares for you.
You must notice that Paul adds a vital ingredient to your prayer – your supplications must be made with a heart full of thanksgiving. That is an ingredient that helps lighten the load – as you pray keep your many blessing in mind. Always keep in mind the good things that are yours even in the darkest crisis.
Being thankful is a great therapeutic. Sometimes we are so burden down it is hard to think straight. We are too close to the problem – so count your blessings and keep them in mind.
It is also helpful to concentrate on the fact that our God of the universe, who created all things, knows what is best in the long run. Pray, as Jesus did in the dark of the cross, “thy will be done,” and mean it. Difficult yes, but it must be learned, and then, Paul says, the peace of God will stand guard at the door of your heart. Amen!