Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
It’s difficult to be content when you’re full of worry and anxiety, isn’t it?
If you’re not dealing with elevated anxiety levels yourself, perhaps someone close to you is.
So, what’s the solution?
When the Apostle Paul wrote these words, he knew that the Christians in Philippi had a lot to be anxious about; in the first century, it was illegal to be a Christian. Paul himself wrote this letter while in a Roman prison because of the Gospel; he had plenty of reasons to be anxious.
Roman prisoners like Paul likely didn’t know where their next meals were coming from and had to rely on the generosity of their friends and family to keep them alive. I, for one, start to get a little anxious when I haven’t eaten for a while.
Paul had this and many other reasons to give in to worry and anxiety, but instead of worrying and getting overwhelmed by his situation, he chose to pray with a heart of gratitude.
These verses promise a supernatural peace from God that will be placed as a guard around your mind and heart, meaning that God’s peace will guard your thoughts and emotions against catastrophizing the future.
Worrying is like praying for the worst-case scenario to happen; it’s an act of faith and a killer of contentment. But prayer is also an act of faith where you decide to trust God with all your cares and concerns.
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