Bill Walker

Do Not Be Anxious. Is That Possible?

"Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything..." Philippians 4:6a "Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything?" you ask. "How can Paul be serious?

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

"Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything..." Philippians 4:6a

"Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything?" you ask.

"How can Paul be serious? I've got real cause for my anxiety. I lost my job and I haven't been able to find another one. Look at my bank account-or what's left of it. And look at this economy! My bills are going nowhere but up and I'm about to lose my house! I have no control over my kids. And my health is bad."

You also might be thinking, "Oh, that was easy for Paul to say. After all, He was selected by God to write most of what we have as the New Testament so he was in a 'special' position and he didn't have the problems we have in the modern world."

If my assumption is anywhere near to your reaction, you need to read more about Paul's life and the persecution he endured in his "special" position.  For example, at the time he wrote these verses he was a prisoner under house arrest in Rome where he had been sent because he had appealed to Caesar regarding his (Paul's) death sentence. Read Acts 28:16-20 for the account of how the Jews in Jerusalem wanted him to be put to death.

And if you see Paul as some sort of "super" Christian--different from you and me, consider his words in Romans 7:15-25 where he says, in part:

"For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled, bewildered]. I do not practice or accomplish what I wish, but I do the very thing that I loathe [which my moral instinct condemns]."

Okay. So, Paul had his own problems and he struggled with his actions just like I do. But what are we supposed to do instead of fretting?

"... but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God." Philippians 4:6b

"Hey," you answer, "I pray. I even plead with God. But it doesn't seem to do any good!"

No, Paul is saying to pray instead of being anxious; that, when you begin to worry, to drop it and pray "with thanksgiving"--with the confidence that God hears your prayer and is answering you.

But how do we do this? Paul pretty much covered his own-and our-inability to control our own actions and thoughts So, it is certainly not through our own efforts.

So, how, then?

As Paul wrote to Timothy:

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.  2 Timothy 1:7

We let God do it.

And that spirit which we have been given is the Holy Spirit of God, whom Jesus promised to send to us when He ascended to the Father and who came to indwell us when we accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Fretting, worry and fear are not just our reactions to external circumstances. They are spiritual forces from our enemy. In fact, they are Satan's primary weapons.

Matthew 14:24-31 gives us an example of what faith can do. In the midst of the storm, Jesus comes to the disciples' boat, walking on water. Jesus commands Peter to come to him on the water and Peter begins to do so. 

As long as his eyes are on Jesus, Peter is able to follow the command but "But when he perceived and felt the strong wind, he was frightened, and as he began to sink, he cried out, Lord, save me [from death]!

It was not the wind that defeated Peter; it was his fear. He looked at his circumstances, gave into fear, and the result was defeat (although the Lord saved him from death).

So, instead of receiving and thinking on the anxiety, worry, and fear, the enemy tries to give us, we keep our spiritual eyes on Jesus and give the Holy Spirit full reign to rule in our thought life.

And what is the promise we are given if we will pray in the manner of Philippians 4:6? What will be the result even while we are waiting for God's answer?

"And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

If you are anxious, worried, or fearful about something remember the admonition and promise of Philippians 4:6-7. Go to the Lord in prayer and tell Him, "Lord Jesus, I do not want to be anxious about this problem. Instead, I hand it over to You and ask for your supernatural intervention. It is in your care now. You are in charge of it and I thank you for taking care of it."

Then, the peace of God, that "transcends all understanding" and "garrison (which means to station troops in) and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

God is true to His Word. Be anxious for nothing. Let Him, for Whom nothing is impossible, take care of it for you. And you will find His peace setting your heart and mind at rest.

Love,
Brother Bill

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