“Be anxious for nothing”?! That’s what Philippians 4:6 tells us to do. How? Is anxiety involuntary? Can it be controlled? Is it physiological? Is it mental and spiritual immaturity or worse—weakness?
I don’t have all the answers—no human being does. But, I know two clear, indisputable biblical truths:
First, we live in a corrupted world (see Romans 8:20-23 and 2 Corinthians 5:1-4 for example). We can’t usually know how much it has corrupted our physical bodies including our brains. So, some “anxious”ness is—or at least can be—physiological. It can be caused by corrupted bodies in a corrupted creation. All of creation (including people) is decaying, corrupted, groaning somehow, some way. Perhaps—in some cases—anxiety, depression are purely, 100% physiological.
Second, the Bible is clear on how to deal with anxiety: Fight! I believe medical help is compatible with biblical wisdom. I believe medication can be a helpful tool in many cases. At the same time, I think it is extremely important that whenever the word of God addresses the subject, we’re told to fight! To choose. To dwell. To consider. Don’t just “be anxious” as though you can’t help it—do battle with anxiety!
Look at what God’s word tells us—hover over these passages in your fight to “take your thoughts captive!” (2 Corinthians 10:5):
“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? “And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? “And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:25–33, NASB95)
“But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”” (Luke 10:41–42, NASB95)
“For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,” (Romans 8:6, NASB95)
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” (1 Peter 5:6–10, NASB95)
“Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.” (Psalm 55:22, NASB95)
“Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence.” (Psalm 42:5, NASB95)
“Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.” (Psalm 42:11, NASB95)
“Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.” (Psalm 43:5, NASB95)
“For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us, you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.” (2 Corinthians 1:8–11, NASB95).
[ Want to read the rest of my notes from my study in Philippians 4? Go to patreon.com/shaunlepage ]
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