*Quick Summary: The author discusses his anxiety.*
In my bathroom, I have a plaque with Philippians 4:6 on it.
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” – Philippians 4:6 KJV
While it is a very popular verse that has almost become a bit of a cliche, it is one of my favorite verses. Having battled anxiety for many years, being able to start my day with it is a true life-changer.
When a Bible verse becomes popular, many times people focus on the parts of it they need, or take it a bit out of context so it fits on a plaque, coffee mug, or t-shirt, so let’s back up a bit and give it that context.
“3: And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. 4: Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 5: Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6: Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7: And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8: Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9: Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” – Philippians 4:3-9
In the case of Philippians 4:6, the biggest overlooked part of the verse itself is “with thanksgiving”. We want God to give us peace and relief from worry, but we often forget to thank Him for that. For that reason, I always try to highlight those two words “with thanksgiving”, as a reminder that God isn’t a vending machine or a buffet. I’d also like to point out there are some pretty amazing verses before and after 4:6 as well. To see that if we obey and do the things in verses 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9, then the promise of verse 7 is there to comfort and heal us.
I once read – “The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith; the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.” For me, the anxiety relief of the verse comes with the knowledge that God is there, and has my back. Not only that, He already knows what I need, I just need to have faith, obey, make my appeal, and be thankful. Knowing that my needs are not only anticipated, but fully met, helps my anxiety float away. God truly is the best!
