Reframing AnxietySample

Day 5: Philippians 4: “Do not be Anxious”

“Do not be anxious about anything” (Philippians 4:6 NIV). How many times have you heard this phrase quoted? How many times have you heard or read the passage and immediately felt ashamed or embarrassed about your struggle with anxiety? Did you stuff and ignore your emotions to avoid feeling guilty for experiencing a normal human emotion? I have. I’ve felt like an inferior Christian because I struggled with anxiety.

The phrase, “Do not be anxious about anything,” is often taken out of context. Let’s look more closely at this passage, considering the context and the invitation that the passage provides to us. Let’s read Philippians 4:6‑7 in both the CSB and NIV translations, and then we will consider the passage in the broader context of Scripture. Notice that merimnaō is translated as “worry” in the CSB and “be anxious” in the NIV.

The CSB says, “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

The NIV says, “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.”

What is the context and source of worry or anxiety described in this passage? Earlier in Philippians 2:20, Paul used the term merimnaō to affirm Timothy’s concern for the Philippians. Later in the letter, in this passage, Paul uses the term merimnaō to invite the readers to avoid being “anxious” or to “stop worrying”* about the circumstances they are currently experiencing. In this passage, we see Paul using the word for anxiety in both a “do this” and a “don’t do this” way. In doing so, Paul demonstrates a nuanced understanding of anxiety.** This nuanced understanding is what I hope you are developing as you read this devotional.

We often see Philippians 4:6‑7 quoted when discussing anxiety, but let’s examine the verse in context. Paul wrote this letter to the Philippians while he was in prison. In the letter, he expressed his gratitude for their support of his ministry (Philippians 1:3‑5; 4:10‑ 20) despite the “extreme poverty” (2 Corinthians 8:2 CSB) that those in the region were experiencing.*** Paul addressed three anxiety-provoking stressors the Philippian believers were facing. First, they struggled with disagreements and disharmony among the believers (Philippians 2:1‑4, 14; 4:2‑3). There was a conflict between Euodia and Syntyche (4:2‑3). Relational conflict is a common source of anxiety that I regularly see as a therapist, and it raises a person’s overall anxiety level. Second, the readers faced local opposition from outside their community (1:27–30; 2:15). Finally, they dealt with false teachings (3:2, 18–19). They had problems and threats both inside and outside their faith community. Stress was coming from all directions.

In addition to these three issues, they were concerned about two people they loved. They were facing concern over Paul, someone they had a deep connection with, who was currently in prison and facing an uncertain future that could potentially end in death. If someone you love were in this situation, you would likely have feelings of concern and anxiety over what would happen to him. Also, they were concerned about Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25‑26), who had been sick. The threat that we might lose someone we love can grip us in a vice-like hold of anxious concern. Losing someone we love is not only emotionally painful, but we also physically feel the pain of grief and loss.

These were all threats. Both internal and external threats were occurring. And, on a biological level, how do we respond to threat and danger? What emotions come up for us when we sense a threat? Often, we view those in Scripture as caricatures rather than real people with severe stressors who were trying to navigate life. These were real people with real problems. And those real problems come with some intense emotions. These are the same emotions we experience today in the face of stress and threat.

What are we invited to do? When we see anxiety discussed in Scripture, we often see words of comfort combined with some practical help. In Philippians 4, we see this combination as Paul urges them toward the following practices. These are all action steps you can use in your life as well.

Address relationship issues. (Philippians 4:1‑3) Paul appeals to Euodia and Syntyche to resolve their disagreements. If you feel anxious due to a relational conflict, you can consider how to approach that person to resolve your disagreement.

Rejoice. (4:4) Paul encourages the readers to rejoice in the Lord. Experiencing anxiety is miserable and does not naturally feel joyful. So, what are we rejoicing about?

We rejoice in the endurance and strength of character developed in our problems and trials, which “produces hope” (Romans 5:3‑5 CSB). In the middle of a trial, most of us aren’t particularly thrilled about our current “character development.” We have a tendency toward discouragement and anxiety when facing challenging situations. For this reason, it’s helpful to keep a written record, such as in a journal or prayer book, of times when we struggled, and some reflection afterward. It is a reminder of God’s work in our lives. It is a reminder of our hope.

References

*Joseph H. Hellerman, Andreas J. Kostenberger, and Robert W. Yarbrough, Philippians (B&H Academic, 2015), 238.

**Jeannine Brown and Eckhard Schnabel, Philippians (IVP Academic, 2022; electronic ed.).

***Ralph Martin, Philippians (IVP Academic, 2015), 44.