Philippians 4:6-7
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
This may be one of the most important scriptures for parents—even though it’s not directly addressed to them. But as parents, we can and should apply it to our lives.
This verse is well-known. It shows up on shirts, stickers, mugs, and Instagram posts. Many of us probably memorized it in Sunday school. But do we actually apply it to our lives?
I get it—the world is crazy, and it seems to get crazier every single day. And yet, this scripture still applies, if not more so, in our current times.
Let’s break it down into three parts:
1. Don’t be anxious about anything.
"Do not be anxious about anything..."
Anxious means being overly uneasy or filled with fear about something, often leading to stress, worry, and restlessness. It’s a feeling many of us experience daily, and in 2024, anxiety feels almost normal. But just because something is common doesn’t mean it’s how we’re meant to live.
As Christ followers, we are not called to adopt anxiety as "normal." You are not normal. You are set apart. You are an heir to an eternal throne, victorious in Christ, and on the winning team with a God who can handle everything that comes your way.
2. How do we give it to God? We pray.
"But in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."
Supplication means to ask humbly and earnestly. It’s our opportunity to bring everything to God—our worries, fears, and frustrations. As Christians, we have the privilege of praying directly to the God of the universe, asking Him for what we need, and submitting our anxieties to Him. We don’t have to carry the weight of stress or fear on our own.
God is always available—24/7—for us to come to Him in prayer.
3. The great exchange: Peace.
"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
I love the way the NLT puts it:
"Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."
Have you ever experienced this kind of peace? That’s the peace that only God can give. It doesn’t come from our circumstances; it comes directly from Him.
When you feel that tightness in your throat, that stomach drop, the signs of stress and anxiety creeping in—stop. Break the anxious cycle. Lay it at God’s feet. Pray. He will exchange your worries for His peace.
