Don’t be anxious

Philippians 4:6-7 - Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

In life, we often encounter people who seem unshaken in the face of crisis. They remain calm, steady, and composed when everything around them feels uncertain. For me, I see this clearly in my wife. Perhaps it is her background as a nurse, or perhaps it is simply her God-given temperament, but she carries herself with a remarkable sense of calmness and composure even in the most trying situations. I have seen her face tense and uncertain moments with a steady spirit, rarely allowing panic to take hold.

 

I, however, find myself on the other side of the spectrum. While I may look calm outwardly, inwardly I can be a storm of restless thoughts, fears, and anxieties. It doesn’t take much for worry to rise within me, threatening to steal my peace.

I believe I am not the only one who faces this battle. You too may have walked through seasons where worry pressed hard against your heart.”

 

And yet, in this very struggle, I am drawn back to the words of Jesus:“Do not be anxious about your life” (Matthew 6:25). Jesus was not minimizing the realities of life, nor was He calling us to ignore our responsibilities. Rather, He was addressing the deeper condition of the heart. 

 

He knew our human tendency to let fear dominate our thoughts, to allow worry to weigh us down, and to live as though our lives were ultimately in our own hands. That is why His words are so powerful—not merely a command to suppress anxiety, but an invitation to place our trust in the Father who knows our needs and delights to provide for His children.

 

Anxiety does not have the final word. Christ offers us a greater way: to surrender our fears, to rest in God’s faithful care, and to exchange the storms within us for His perfect peace.

 

The Apostle Paul echoes the teaching of Jesus and takes it a step further. In Philippians 4:6–7, he not only reminds us not to be anxious, but also shows us the practical pathway to peace: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

 

Paul tells us we are not left helpless in our anxiety—we have God to turn to. The very God who created us (Psalm 139:13), who loved us before we even knew Him (Romans 5:8), who sent His only Son to die for us (John 3:16), is the same God who knows us intimately: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you” (Jeremiah 1:5). He is the One who declares, “I know the plans I have for you…plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope”(Jeremiah 29:11). This God is not distant; He is near, and He promises, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”(Hebrews 13:5). We can always turn to Him in moments of anxiety.

 

Paul then outlines three practical ways to bring our anxious hearts before God

1. Prayer – This is our ongoing communion with God. In times of anxiety, prayer is not just a ritual but a lifeline. It reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles. David prayed honestly in his moments of distress: “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you” (Psalm 56:3).

 

2. Supplication – This is more than general prayer; it is a heartfelt cry for help, pouring out our specific needs before God. Just as Hannah poured out her soul before the Lord when she longed for a child (1 Samuel 1:15), we too can bring our deepest burdens to Him, knowing He cares.

 

3. Thanksgiving – Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to what God has already done. Thanksgiving strengthens faith, reminding us of God’s past faithfulness as a guarantee of His future provision. The psalmist declared, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits” (Psalm 103:2). Even in the storm, giving thanks reminds us that God is still on the throne.

When we practice these—prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving—Paul promises that “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This is not a peace the world can give, nor is it simply the absence of trouble. It is a supernatural calm that defies circumstances, a peace that acts as a guard over our hearts and minds.

 

Anxiety may knock on the door of your heart, but you do not have to let it in. Turn your worries into prayers, your cries into supplications, and your doubts into thanksgiving. When you do, the God who holds the universe also holds you—and His peace will carry you through.

 

This promise of God’s peace is beautifully illustrated in the story of Jesus calming the storm (Mark 4:35–41). The disciples, many of them seasoned fishermen, found themselves in a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee. The waves were crashing into the boat, and they were convinced they were about to drown. In their panic, they turned to Jesus—only to find Him asleep on a cushion at the stern of the boat.

 

Frantic, they woke Him: “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” (v. 38). How often do we echo the same cry in our anxious moments? “Lord, don’t You see what I’m going through? Don’t You care that I’m sinking under the weight of this storm?”

 

Jesus arose, rebuked the wind, and spoke to the sea: “Peace! Be still!” Instantly, the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Then He turned to His disciples and asked, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” (v. 39–40).

 

What a powerful reminder for us. The storm may rage around us, but if Christ is in our boat, we are never truly in danger. His presence is greater than the fiercest wind, His peace stronger than the highest wave. Anxiety tells us we are about to sink; faith reminds us that Jesus is with us, and He is Lord over every storm.

 

When Paul speaks of “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7), he is pointing us to this very reality. It is not a peace that depends on calm waters, but a peace that flows from the presence of Christ. The storm may not cease immediately, but when we bring our prayers, supplications, and thanksgiving before God, His peace reigns in our hearts—even while the winds are still blowing.

 

Whatever storm you may be facing today, remember: the One who spoke “Peace, be still” to the waves is the same One who guards your heart and mind. He has not abandoned you. Call on Him, trust Him, and let His peace carry you safely through.

 

A Prayer for Anxious Hearts

 

Heavenly Father,

I thank You that You are near, and that You care for me more deeply than I can ever imagine. You see the storms within me, the worries that weigh me down, and the fears I cannot put into words. Today, I choose to bring them before You in prayer.

 

Lord, teach me to lay down my anxieties and lift them up to You with thanksgiving. Remind me of Your faithfulness in the past, and strengthen my faith to trust You for the future. Speak over my heart the same words You spoke to the storm: “Peace, be still.”

 

Guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus. Let Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, rule within me. I rest in Your promises, I cling to Your presence, and I trust in 

 

Your perfect love that casts out all fear.

 

In Jesus’ name, Amen