Do Not Be Anxious

Date: January 12, 2023

Bible Scripture Verse

Philippians 4:6-7 - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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."

Listen for God’s Voice

As thoughts and worries creep into my mind daily, I ask that you help me to let go of them, to trust you and to find peace in you.  I pray that you help me bring every concern and request to you in prayer and to always remember to give thanks. Amen

Explore History – Who wrote it, when and to what audience? Key people in the story?

This verse was written by the Apostle Paul, who is believed to have written the letter to the Philippians around AD 60-62 while he was in prison in Rome.

The letter was addressed to the early Christian community in Philippi, which is a city in ancient Greece. The key people in this story are Paul and the members of the Philippian church.

Paul had established the church in Philippi on his second missionary journey, and the letter to the Philippians expresses his deep love and affection for the church and its members. He wrote to encourage them in their faith and to address some issues that were causing division within the church.

Paul is encouraging the Philippians not to be anxious and to present their requests to God with thanksgiving. He reassures them that the peace of God will guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 

Study and Savor – Key Words

"Anxious" - the state of being worried or uneasy about something that may happen or has happened.

"Prayer" - a form of communication with God, typically through speaking or thinking, in which a person expresses their thoughts, feelings, and requests to God.

"Peace" - freedom from disturbance, a state of tranquility and calmness, a sense of security and well-being.

Summarize and Share

This scripture is telling us that every time we are anxious, we are supposed to present our requests to God with thanksgiving. If we do, the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. In other words, it encourages us to trust in God and to find peace in Him, rather than worrying about things that may happen or has happened.

So how can we do this in the middle of our anxiety? 

Pray: Bring our concerns and requests to God in prayer, expressing our thoughts, feelings, and requests to Him.

Give thanks: Remember to always give thanks for the blessings in our lives, even in difficult situations.

Trust: Trust in God's plan and His ability to guide us through the situation. Remember, He wants only what is good for us. 

Find peace: Allow the peace of God to guard our hearts and minds, and to give us a sense of security and well-being.

We need to learn to trust in God and find peace in Him, rather than allowing anxiety to consume us. Let's make it a habit, every time we feel anxious to turn to God and pray, let's give thanks and trust in him, so we can find peace in our hearts.

Bible Cross Reference

Matthew 6:25-34 - This passage, also known as the Sermon on the Mount, teaches about not worrying about material things and to seek first the kingdom of God. It encourages trust in God's provision and a focus on the things that truly matter.

1 Peter 5:7 - This verse encourages casting our anxieties on God, because He cares for us.

Isaiah 26:3 - This verse speaks about the peace that comes from trusting in God, which is described as "perfect peace" for those who trust in the Lord.

Proverbs 3:5-6 - This passage advises to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and not to lean on our own understanding. It encourages us to acknowledge Him in all our ways, and He will make our paths straight.