How Do I Keep from Being Anxious? (Philippians 3-4)

A Few Thoughts to Consider

Do you struggle with anxiety?

The Apostle Paul had much to say about this topic. In Philippians 3, he encourages believers to press forward with a renewed focus for the new year. Like a runner preparing for a race, Paul emphasizes the importance of internal growth over outward appearances. He warns against relying on external markers of success, urging believers instead to count all achievements as loss compared to the value of knowing Christ.

Then, in Philippians 4, Paul wraps up his letter with heartfelt encouragement to the church in Philippi. He understands the challenges they face and the hardships they’ll continue to endure. Still, his message is clear: when life gets tough, don’t give up.

Paul begins by saying in Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” He calls the believers to a radical response that goes against their natural instincts. Although rejoicing in the middle of trials seems impossible, Paul insists that our joy is not based on our circumstances but on our relationship with God. This joy is rooted in the unchanging character of God, not in the ever-changing difficulties we face.

Paul adds in Verse 6, “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” As N.T. Write notes, “Anxiety was a way of life for many in the ancient pagan world. With so many gods and goddesses, all of them potentially out to get you for some offence you mightn’t even know about, you never knew whether something bad was waiting for you just round the corner.”^[1]

The antidote to worry wasn’t simply to ignore one’s problems. It was to bring all concerns to God in prayer. Only then could the believers experience “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding (V.7). Next, in Verse 8, Paul shifts the focus to our thought life: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things.”

Paul knows that what we think about shapes how we feel and act. It’s easy to get stuck in negative thought patterns when we're in a difficult season, but Paul encourages us to choose our thoughts actively. He’s not advocating for mindless positivity, but he is challenging his audience to fill their minds with the truth of who God is and what he has promised.

Finally, Paul talks about living with strength and contentment. In verses 11-13, he writes, “I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. I know both how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances, I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me."

A Meditation to PRAY

Praise | God, I praise you because you are unchanging, steadfast, and a source of true joy, regardless of my trials. Thank you for your constant presence and for being a God who invites me to bring my worries to you. You are the source of peace that surpasses all understanding, and I rejoice in who you are.

Release | I release my anxiety and fear, which often overwhelm me and cloud my trust in you. I admit that I get caught up in my circumstances and forget the truth of your promises. Please help me to let go of the worries that weigh me down and surrender them to your capable hands.

Ask | I ask for the strength to rejoice in you, even when life feels overwhelming. Help me replace my anxious thoughts with what is true, honorable, and lovely. Teach me to be content in all situations, trusting you are enough. Provide the strength I need to face every challenge.

Yield | I yield my desire for control and my tendency to dwell on what is wrong. Instead, I choose to focus on your goodness and faithfulness. I trust in your ability to handle my concerns and will rely on your strength rather than my own. Help me live courageously, rooted in the assurance of your promises.

A Challenge to Act Like Christ  

Paul’s secret to living strong is found in his reliance on Christ. His contentment doesn’t come from having everything he wants but from trusting in Jesus, who gives him the strength to endure any situation. Paul isn’t saying (as many wrongly teach) that we can accomplish anything we set our minds to. He’s saying that no matter what God calls him to face, whether it’s abundance or hardship, he can handle it through the strength Christ provides.

These words are difficult to believe. In an age where people feel they have a right to be perpetually anxious and live in fear and worry, Paul’s words feel very challenging—even impossible. But as Francis Foulkes writes, “Anxiety is to have no place in the lives of Christians.”^[2] This doesn’t mean we never fear or have anxiety attacks, but it does mean we don’t live in an anxious state of doubting God’s promises, his nature, and his ability. Our default is to trust in him, even when our emotions lag.

If you’re feeling anxious today, here are three things you can do: Pray hard, think great, and live courageously. Bring your concerns to God, choose to think on what is good, and live in alignment with your beliefs.

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^[1]N. T. Wright, Paul for Everyone The Prison Letters Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon, vol. 14 of Accordance electronic ed. (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2011), 131.

^[2]Francis Foulkes, Philippians, eds. D. A Carson et al., New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition. Accordance electronic ed. (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1994), 1257.