Philippians 4:4-9
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 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.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. As for the things that you have learned and received and heard and noticed in me, do them, and the God of peace will be with you.”
About two and a half years ago, I was in a rough spot with my career. Having recently started as an engineer, I knew that I wasn’t doing what I felt called to do. I had spent the past 6 years getting ready for that career, and I didn’t know what I should do. One late night, I went on a walk around Jordan Lake in Raleigh overwhelmed with anxiety about feeling directionless and lacking a sense of purpose.
“Just try not worrying about it,” is a common platitude that is meant to give reassurance, but paradoxically increases anxiety. Today’s verses are one of the most quoted passages about anxiety. Unfortunately, they are often used or taken in that way: as a simple fix and a chastising of those with anxiety for not being faithful enough. As an anxious person, I feel my defenses go up when I read this verse.
We are all faced with anxiety in the stresses of our lives whether it be worry about our finances, relationships with family and friends, facing hardship, or the state of our world. When faced with stress, my brain pushes me towards doing. There can be a benefit to channeling our anxiousness into something productive. However, often we need to step back from the somewhat selfish idea that we can actually control what is going on, and slow down, so we can lead with gentleness.
When I recognize myself in a state of anxiety, my first instinct is to chastise myself for worrying or for letting it consume me. However, in this verse, Paul is not bringing a message of chastising. More importantly, that’s not how God views our worry. As he mentions in other letters, Paul himself is prone to anxiousness. He is not giving us the math equation of “anxiety + prayer = no anxiety.” Instead, Paul is encouraging us to bring our stress and anxiety to God.
That night at Jordan Lake, I was so overwhelmed with anxiety that I stopped and literally cried out to God. I’m not sure what I was looking to receive, but I never got a direct answer to that prayer. To this day, I've never felt like God has ever directly spoken to me. However, I felt God’s presence with me that night. Every time I walk past that spot on the trail, I think about how I didn't feel alone, and how I felt the peace of God amidst the unknowingness. I am grateful for that reminder of God’s presence along my journey. God was and is near. And because of that when we cry out in our anxiety, God can meet us with a peace that surpasses all understanding.
In this season, we are preparing for the birth of Jesus, the word and love of God incarnate.
Jesus, who brought peace to many who were afflicted with worry.
Jesus, who caused so much worry to religious leaders and society with his bold and radical message of love.
Jesus, who showed anxiety the night before his death.
Jesus, who sees us and invites us to share our anxiety with him.
What anxiety would you like to share with Jesus today?