Week 9, Day 3: Be Anxious for Nothing!

Today’s Reading:  Colossians 1:1-2:23

Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…

In Philippians 4:6, Paul gives what may be one of the most difficult commands found in the New Testament:  Be anxious for nothing.  The idea here is that one should not worry about, or give undue attention to things that often cause concern.  There should be a distinct difference between the Christian’s attitude and the attitude found in those of the world.

It can certainly be difficult to follow Paul’s teaching here.  In a world where there is so much uncertainty, it seems natural to worry.  Many worry about the financial markets, and whether they will be able to retire.  Others worry about the instability found in the world politically, and wonder if there will be further wars brought upon us.  Still others are worried about circumstances that are found in this nation, which provide for further temptations or trials for us.  How do we leave these worries behind?  What does it take for us to realize that it will do us no good to fret over these issues, and that we should put our faith in God?  That is the first step to following Paul’s instructions here!

Consider first what Paul had to say in the context immediately preceding this verse:

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
–Philippians 4:4-5

The Lord should always be a source of rejoicing.  No matter how difficult things may get for us, whether it be financial difficulties, or tribulations that we must face, we can rejoice in the Lord.  When we consider what He did for us, that He went through the tribulations of living on earth, and suffering the shame of the cross, just to give us a hope of eternal salvation, how can we not rejoice?  Paul also said that “the Lord is at hand.”  That is, He is near to us.  It should be a comfort for us to know that the Lord is close to us, He is there for us.  We know that He is our mediator, which means that He is ever present, speaking on our behalf to God the Father.  What a comfort to know that He has such an intimate relationship with us!

Secondly, we should consider our attitude.  If we have the proper attitude, it will be much easier to put worries and anxieties behind us.  Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11-12 that he had learned to live in whatever state he found himself in.  If he had plenty, he was content.  If he didn’t really have enough, he still learned to be content.  This is a great challenge!  We seem to always want more, and have a hard time being content with anything. This is, perhaps, why there are so many who have such high anxiety when the financial markets struggle, like they are right now in our country.  Far too often, we live above our means, instead of within our means.  So, at the first sign of financial problems, we panic because we are afraid we cannot pay our bills, or perhaps because we are afraid that we won’t be able to continue the lifestyle that we have grown to enjoy.  If our focus is on the physical, then we cannot help but be anxious in times of distress!  However, if we have taught ourselves to follow the example that Paul has left us (Philippians 3:17, 4:9) we will learn to be content with whatever state we are in!

This really has to do with where our focus is.  Jesus tells us that we are to seek first the kingdom of Heaven, and then we will receive all that we need to sustain ourselves physically (Matthew 6:33-34).  If we are putting God first, then we will not be worried about the physical things that may seem so problematic to others.  How is it that Christians were able to face persecution and even public execution with grace and courage in the first century?  Because they were putting the kingdom of Heaven first!  They knew that there was something far greater that was waiting for them on the other side of whatever mere men could throw at them (Matthew 10:28).  How could Paul be content when he was hungry?  He kept his goal in focus, reaching for the eternal prize that was set before him!

This really is a very difficult concept to put into practice sometimes.  We become consumed by the things of the world, and lose our focus on the eternal reward that awaits us.  So, how can we ensure that we make it?  Perhaps by recalling the words of Paul in this context:

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
–Philippians 4:13

We often hear this verse quoted, but rarely have I heard it quoted in context.  We can learn to have the same attitude that Paul had, being content whether we are “abased” or whether we “abound,” by relying on Christ, Who strengthens us!  If we put our faith, our confidence in Him, then we can learn to react in the same way that Paul reacted to his circumstances.  How do we show our faith in Him?  By casting our cares upon Him.  In the latter part of Philippians 4:6, Paul tells us that we are to let our requests be made known to God through prayer and supplications with thanksgiving.

When there are things that cause us anxiety, or worry, do we take it to God in prayer, or do we try to solve it for ourselves.  We should worry if we rely upon ourselves.  If we rely on God, there is no cause for anxiety!

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