READ: PHILIPPIANS 4:4-9; HEBREWS 12:2; 1 PETER 5:6-9
Life can be overwhelming. From a bad day at school to a betrayal by people we thought were our friends, sometimes we don’t know how to respond.
Feeling overwhelmed or anxious is a common problem, but it’s not a new one. Though today we have social media and busy schedules contributing to our stress, people who lived thousands of years ago felt overwhelmed and anxious too. Thankfully, God has not left us to deal with this problem on our own. What does God’s Word remind us to do when we feel overwhelmed and anxious? In Philippians 4, Paul has some advice that is as fitting for us today as it was for the Christians in Philippi back then.
First, Paul reminds them (and us) to find joy in Jesus. He says, “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4). Jesus is our real source of hope and meaning, but many things can distract us from the hope we have in Him. The good news is, once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, His Holy Spirit lives in us, reminding us of God’s love and His unshakable promises—which are all tied to Jesus’s death on the cross for us and His wonderful resurrection from the grave.
That sounds good, right? But it’s still hard to do. How do we remember Jesus and rejoice when we don’t feel like it? In verses 6 and 7, Paul says that when we feel anxious, we should turn to God in prayer, talking to Him about the burdens we’re carrying and laying them at His feet. Then Paul shares this promise: peace from God will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Paul doesn’t stop there though. In verses 8 and 9, he challenges us to set our minds and hearts on the right things. Sometimes we feel stressed out and overwhelmed because we buy into the lies we encounter every day, lies that say things like “God isn’t good” or “He doesn’t really love us,” and we forget the truth of God’s Word. So Paul says to dwell on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, morally excellent, and praiseworthy.
As we wait for Jesus to return and make all things new, there will be times when we feel overwhelmed, anxious, or unsure. But we can know that Jesus is always with us, and as we turn to Him in prayer and dig into His Word, we find that He is the source of true peace. • Phil Cox
• Have you ever experienced God’s comfort when you felt anxious or overwhelmed—maybe through a Bible verse or passage, a beautiful sunset, or a hug from a friend? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this, and then bring Him any burdens you are carrying today.
Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 (CSB)