One of the most pervasive problems in our world today is the battle against anxiety. It plagues every social strata, every age group, and both men and women alike. In fact, statistics tell us that well over 50% of Christan women- whether it’s mild nervousness or debilitating fear - are losing this battle.
Yet Scripture makes it clear that God wants us to have peace. Not anxiety In John 14:27, Jesus says “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” His plan indeed is for us to have genuine peace, and He tells us specifically in Philippians 4 how we can access that in our lives. Instead of viewing anxiety as an inescapable burden of living in this world, Philippians 4 frames it as an invitation from God for intimacy with Him. And Paul tells us how to RSVP yes to that invitation…
Verse 9 instructs us “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me - practice these things and the God of peace will be with you”. If we want to enjoy the peace that is unlike what the world can offer, peace that we cannot understand, then what are the “these things” we should practice? While the Apostle Paul is likely referring to all the topics he addresses in the book, I see four specific things in this chapter that are the pathway to peace for those of us in Christ Jesus. The things we should practice (not “try” a time or two and expect miraculous results but practice so as to form new habits) are 1) rejoicing in the Lord 2) praying with thanksgiving 3) discipline our thoughts and 4)learn contentment.
First, rejoicing in the Lord. Is Paul describing a “Pollyanna attitude”, where we pretend all is well even when it’s not? Is he telling us to just “praise the Lord anyway”?
I think not.
I believe that we are being instructed in Philippians 4 to find joy and satisfaction in who Christ is and what being justified in Him means for us. I believe it is setting our hearts on the treasure of our relationship with Him and cultivating a love for Him that surpasses our loves for other things (including ourselves). Rejoicing in the Lord. Practicing that into a habit opens the pathway of peace into our hearts.
Second - praying with thanksgiving. Verse 6 - “Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God.” Both elements of this habit to practice are crucial. Paul acknowledges that life in this world tempts us to worry. No doubt about it. There are small things that nip at our hearts and minds and there are very big things that threaten to devastate us. In this chapter, he confronts that truth and he tells us what to do. He does not say ignore them or pretend they don’t exist. He says instead PRAY. Go to the only source who has the power and the desire to do something about what is plaguing your heart. PRAY. Pour out your requests to Him. Tell Him all about your troubles, as the old hymn puts it. But don’t merely recite a list of wants and desires - instead pray with THANKSGIVING. That is a most critical component. Gratitude. Being thankful to the Lord. Thankful for what? I Thessalonians 5:17,18 explains it well - “Pray without ceasing and give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
We can begin with being thankful for the blessings we like - what we consider as “good” in our lives. Make it a habit to continuously recognize, acknowledge and be grateful for the countless blessings we enjoy. My husband has made it a habit to record three specific things to be grateful for in his journal everyday. I am not as faithful as he is to do so but when I practice this, it makes such a difference. Gratitude displaces fear, worry, a critical spirit, negativity, the list goes on and on. Gratitude to God is so powerful that it spills out onto earthly relationships as well. Expressing appreciation is a game changer in all the ways!
The third habit that we are exhorted to develop is verse 8 - think right. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Learning to discipline our thoughts, practicing what it means to “take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5) means that we choose not to fall prey to speculations, “what if’s” or destructive thoughts. This passage is not advocating “the power of positive thinking” or ostrich-like deniability but it is instructing us to be intentional with where we fix our thoughts. And to trust the character of God to sustain us, care for us, and provide what we need for victory. This habit cannot be overstated - it is very powerful - but we should know that, depending on the state of your mind, it can involve hard work to develop. But God be praised that our brains are not set like concrete but rather they are pliable and able to be changed. With His grace and our perseverance, we can develop new pathways for our thoughts to follow so that we more quickly default to trust than to anxiety.
The final habit this passage lays out for us is to learn contentment. Verses 12,13 explain “I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” The fact that the apostle says he has learned contentment lets us know that it is not a natural state! We naturally strain towards discontentment! But Paul tells us we need to learn the secret of being satisfied - joyful- regardless of what our circumstances dictate. And that secret is abiding in Christ. (So for the record, verse 13 does not apply to winning a Natty !) Learning that only through the power of Christ and leaning into who He is so that I trust Him is the secret to learning contentment. To not only pour out my requests before God but also to peacefully, joyfully accept His answer, even when that answer is “no”. What a powerful habit to develop!
And if we pursue and practice these habits, verse 9 promises us that “the God of peace will be with you.” Practice effects peace. Amen.