Philippians 4:6 is key to peace in the Christian life. Daily, we are bombarded by ascending and descending events which project two possibilities: one–those things which stress us and cause us pain, and two–those things that promote calm and joy. Our mind attitude makes it possible to dwell on one or the other, either to our detriment or to our encouragement. How is your filter working?
We can, when put in stressful situations (like watching news reports or arguing a point in politics) raise our voices, and probably our blood pressure as we contemplate the crime, inflation, injustice, or natural disasters. We can absorb the negativity as we sit, frustrated and concerned, in a long line of traffic when we’re running late. We can put blame on others for “that’s just how things are in this sinful world” and see the beginnings of a grudge grow if we give it attention. We can even rehash old hurts, affronts, betrayals, and hurt feelings to our own detriment.
If we trust God as sovereign, we can overcome the urge to get our feathers ruffled. We can live anxiety-free if our hearts and minds allow us to stand on His care for us. 1 Peter 5:7 says: “Cast ALL your anxiety upon Him because He cares for you.” And Philippians 4:6, which we should all memorize to keep our lives straight, says: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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.
Now, there’s a recipe for peace and calm! With this attitude, we can overcome all obstacles, walk with a confident stride, not with hunched shoulders and frowns, we can whisper (not shout) this to ourselves, and immediately, even before we pray or petition God, feel a sense of relaxation. We can say to ourselves: “God’s Got This!” and let the stress fade into oblivion. Then, we have room in our minds to consider the rest of this passage. It may be hard in our chaotic world, but Peter’s was too. He faced persecution, incarceration, and execution. But here’s what he said, and it can and should be our watchword when our critical spirits start creeping in when we’re unaware. Sometimes the least little thing can open the door to anxiety.
Here’s the antidote to that poison: Finally, brothers, 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. Peter continues with his witness, and hopefully ours as well: Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (1 Peter 4:9)
My Psalm 316 “Anxiety”
MY PSALM 317 ANXIETY
O Lord, Almighty, Giver of life, Master of Death,
We praise You for showing us courage
In times of trial.
We thank You for Your Word,
For stories of inspiration and faith,
For times when Your people called on Your Name,
Knowing You were with them in battle,
And showed Your power to the enemy.
We thank You for David, who without armor and sword
Attacked the braggart Goliath
With faith, not just a stone,
And in the presence of enemies and armies
Saved the day for Israel.
Teach us this day to say, “The Lord Almighty will save us.
Let us allow You to solve our biggest battles.
Let us give the Lord of the Universe the opportunity
To show Your Power.”
And let us, once more,
See the mighty torrents of Your power
Pour forth over our trivial challenges,
Winning the battles of our lives
Through Your efforts on our behalf.
For indeed, nothing, no nothing, is too big for You, Lord.
If You can rule the waves, or withhold rain,
Or change the seasons, and keep the constellations,
You can solve the difficulties
We bring to You in prayer with thanksgiving,
Knowing that You have the solution
We cannot even imagine.
And so, Lord, grant us the answers we seek
To challenges too big for us.
Bring us through our battles to victories
We cannot even fathom with our finite minds,
That we may sing and bring melody to Your Eternal Name.
For You are glorified in accomplishing the impossible
Through Your servants who have faith in You
And ask to be used of You to Your glory.
In this day, show us the battles to be won.
Give us the words to speak, the actions to accomplish,
And most of all, the will to be used
By Your mighty hand to Your glory. Amen.
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