A better prescription for anxiety

Philippians 4 from the daily reading in the One Year Bible

Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, whom I long to see, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

² I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. ³ Indeed, true companion, I ask you also, help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement as well as the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentle spirit be known to all people. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ⁹ As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

¹⁰ But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked an opportunity to act. ¹¹ Not that I speak from need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. ¹² I know how to get along with little, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. ¹³ I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. ¹⁴ Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my difficulty.

¹⁵ You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone; ¹⁶ for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. ¹⁷ Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek the profit which increases to your account. ¹⁸ But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. ²⁰ Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

²¹ Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. ²² All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.

²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Today’s text says: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all people. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Later it says: My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. In Matthew 6:7-8 Jesus says: “When you are praying, do not use thoughtless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”  If God knows what we need, and He will supply all of our needs, then surely we do not have to plead with Him to provide it. Instead, we should rejoice and be thankful. We should not be anxious, knowing that the Lord not only hears, but that He is also near to us, and in truth, He is all we need. Psalm 42:1-2 says: As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.

Again, it says we should be anxious for nothing. Surely this is contrary to our society today in which many people are filled with anxiety about almost everything. The pharmaceutical industry makes millions of dollars a, year filling prescriptions to ease people’s anxiety. The truth is fear or anxiety is the opposite of faith. It is believing more in the things we don’t want than in the good things that God has already provided for us. Today’s text has a better prescription for anxiety. It says: Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things. As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. People are fearful and anxious because they think about all of the negative things that they see and hear in the media. Look again at what it says we should think about and recognize that God is all that we should think about. God is true. He is honorable and righteous. He is pure, loving commendable, excellent and worthy of praise. Psalm 37:4 says: Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart.

It is not enough though just to think about the goodness of God. The prescription says: practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. In John 16:33 Jesus says: “These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” On the cross, in John 19:30 Jesus said: “It is finished!” All we need, every victory over the difficulties we face is already fully accomplished for us in the finished work of the cross. We need to practice meditating on the finished work of the cross.

The Lord is my shepherd, I will not be in need. He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For the sake of His name. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Certainly goodness and faithfulness will follow me all the days of my life, And my dwelling will be in the house of the Lord forever. Amen