“We are not defenseless against anxiety.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – October 7, 2025
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Anxiety. Which of us is exempt from its curse? Though we may each deal with it differently, it is a reality we all live with in this sin-tarnished world. It robs us of our joy in God’s present goodness; it poisons our peace in his future goodness; it even casts its shadow on our past, taunting us with our worst moments. Anxiety is the Great Spoiler of all that God wants for his children, which is abundant life and joy at His hands. No wonder Jesus pinpoints anxiety in his Sermon on the Mount, reminding God’s flock (that’s us!) that our Father in heaven knows our every need and will meet it. “Do not be anxious about your life,” Jesus said. And Paul repeats the instruction in his letter to the Philippians. Anxiety, clearly, is not part of God’s plan for our lives.
But have you ever tried to not be anxious? The command to just stop feeling anxiety is as efficacious as telling a toddler mid-tantrum to stop being upset. One cannot simply turn off that gnawing feeling, especially when it is grounded in the very real and present brokenness of the chaotic world in which we exist. But, thanks be to God, that is not the end of Paul’s exhortation. He does not simply say we ought to muster up enough will power or happy thoughts or gratitude to banish our anxiety. Rather than tell us what not to do, he gives us something to do instead: “But… by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Do you see the invitation here? It’s that of the parent who meets her toddler mid-meltdown and doesn’t demand he fix himself, but rather opens arms wide to invite the anxious child in to find comfort. Our Father likewise acknowledges our anxieties and invites us to bring them boldly to his ever-open ear and find comfort there. It is an invitation with a promise: “The peace of God will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” As with the upset child, the source of our anxiety may not yet be resolved, and yet we can be secure in the embracing presence of our Father. The battle may yet rage without, but we are secure in the impenetrable tower of His love.
So next time you feel anxiety creeping up (and it will), don’t bother trying to fight it on your own strength. Instead, run to the Father and pour out your anxious heart to Him. He is waiting for you and ready, with peace in abundance.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, teach me in my moments of anxiety to come to you as a little child, trusting in your love and expectant of your promised peace that surpasses my understanding. Amen.
Application
When anxiety comes, waste no time in bringing it to God’s ear. He promises peace when we draw near to Him.
Related Reading
Psalm 55:22; Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 41:10; John 14:27; 1 Peter 5:7
Worship Resource
JJ Heller: Your Hands
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