Facing our Anxiety

Can’t we all identify with being anxious? The world seems to insist that we live in fear and anxiety. The "what ifs" can dominate our thinking, and many of today's plain truths often feel unbearable. And yet, an imprisoned Paul writes to the Philippians: 

"Have no anxiety 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 passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7 RSV

What do we do with this? Sometimes a passage like this can feel like wishful thinking or pie-in-the-sky religion. And yet, perhaps we can view Paul's words as an invitation to simply try to let go of our anxieties and lift them up to a loving God. It seems that often we don’t even go so far as even trying.

So take a pause right now. Is there something you want to try to bring to God to stop worrying about? 

It can be especially difficult when we care deeply about others and when we experience injustice. We can still care deeply and still demand justice! And at the same time, we can let God be God. We can try to forfeit all the things we may not be equipped to carry. We can try to trust. We can try to believe. And we can try to find rest in that Great "peace that passes all understanding." 

- By Billy Minshall