Do you every get anxious about your financial problems? If so, how do you overcome this anxiety in a healthy, biblical way?
Philippians 4:6-7 is one on the first verses I learned when I was 28 and initially introduced to Christ as my savior It had a major influence on my thinking then, and meditating on it again this week had an equally significant impact.
It says, “Be anxious for nothing, 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 comprehension will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus”(Philippians 4:6-7)
Let’s unpack this passage together and as we do, I want you to think about some of the things that make you anxious and how this passage might free you from it.
It begins with a command: “Be anxious for nothing . . .” The Lord is clear that regardless of the challenge – health, financial, relational, work or a host of others – we are not to be anxious. Throughout the Bible, we often see issues framed between Our Responsibilities and God’s Responsibilities.
Our Part
The next portion of this scripture addresses Our Part, “but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
It is clear that in every circumstance large or small, by our prayers and supplication with thanksgiving we are to tell the Lord our requests. Some people think that they shouldn’t bring their concerns about money to God because He might be too busy running the universe, but He tells us to bring Him everything.
We also should bring our prayers to Him with supplication and thanksgiving. The dictionary defines supplication as, “asking or begging for something humbly or earnestly.” Our heart should be submitted to the Lord as we earnestly make our request.
God’s Part.
Slowly read what the does in response. “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” God will bring us His peace, which is so amazing that it defies understanding, and it guards our hearts and minds in Christ! Can you imagine anything better to overcome financial anxiety!
I want to challenge you to meditate on Philippians 4:6-7 the next time you are feeling anxious. Pray with supplication and thanksgiving, then experience the precious peace of God.
