Do you ever get caught in an inward and endless loop of, “What if?” — “What if my health … What if my kids … What if my parents … What if my plans … What if a robber breaks in and … ?”

Same.

Since anxiety sneaks around in human hearts like a common thief seeking to steal joy, we need to guard against its intrusions. But how?

There’s an answer in Philippians 4:6-7 where the Apostle’s words reveal a peace that is able to transcend understanding and guard hearts and minds, even when anxiety prowls within. At such invasive times, this passage says to pray, seeking God’s peace in every situation, with thanksgiving, and with full assurance of his protective care.

In practice, this means I can bring to God specific worries and fears, both big and small.

Big matters might include swirling hurricanes, global conflicts, sudden acts of violence, seasons of suffering, dark days, the declining health of a loved one, and yes, the shadow of death itself. In sizable circumstances such as these, seeking God’s peace makes sense; after all, big situations require big solutions, big surrender, a Savior. Big time.

While urgent, earnest prayer might seem only obvious then, what about during the simpler circumstances of life? Do we really need to seek God’s peace in mundane matters like packing a bag, picking up an auto part, paying a few bills, or putting dinner on the table?

Frankly for me, it is precisely such small things that possess the best chance of breaking into my heart to steal joy. Here’s why: because the little things seem so controllable; they seem like they are part of my domain, my wheelhouse, my responsibility. Yes (it seems), God takes care of the tornadoes and the terrorists; I’ve got the tiny stuff.

But seriously, will my worry and grasping at control somehow prevent that prospective terrible (fill-in-the-blank) thing from happening? Will inner anxiety cause my unease about unknowns to smooth out the small stuff? Hardly. It turns out in reality (and in theology), I need to seek the Lord in everything.

Meanwhile, as the Apostle presents it, my specific prayers need to be presented “with thanksgiving.” Anxiety and thankfulness do not mix.

Hearts filled-up with thanks crowd out anxious fears, and shine light on the thief trying to steal joy and replace it with junk, while stuffing worry in your gut. Yet when anxiety lurks, what happens if it finds you not gripping in fear, but instead, full of gratitude for God’s gifts — like his cleansing of your sins, the cross of Christ, his covenant community, his complete control? Doesn’t a room full of thanksgiving leave less room for fears?

Essentially, the prayer that addresses anxiety consciously, and constantly, gives up personal worries and faithfully grabs hold of God’s promises and peace, seeking his protection.

When Paul wrote to the Philippians, their city housed Roman sentinels who always stood on guard. The Apostle uses this image to assure God’s people that God’s peace is able to mount its protection over their minds and hearts, the very doors to human thoughts and feelings.

This divine peace is so vast and strong that human reasoning, human planning, even human worry, is not able to comprehend it. Picture praying this way: “Lord, when anxious, I don’t need to understand the big picture; but can I have your peace? Please?”

Thankfully, as Philippians 4:7 concludes with conviction, I know I too can enjoy peace with God, and receive peace and protection from God, because I am “in Christ Jesus.”

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ABOUT THE WRITER

Rev. Dr. Craig Davis shepherds his four kids and the Grace United Reformed Church congregation; he is a Tri-City Herald Spiritual Life contributor and enjoys baseball, live performance art, solitude and the company of his wife. Email: revofgraceurc@gmail.com

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