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This devotion is the first in a series of six devotions on becoming resilient in the midst of crises.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEti6SfDfL0

[D]o 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. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:6-9 (ESV)

In this passage of Scripture, Paul is speaking to the church in Philippi. Paul is largely commending the church for the good job they are doing and thanking them for their support. At the start of this chapter, he addresses the main issue the church there is having (two women are arguing), and then he transitions toward his final thoughts for them as they face their own struggles (Phil. 1:27-30). In the midst of the crisis they face, Paul has already instructed the Philippians to maintain humility and let their faith be evident to the world around them (ch. 2), to continue pressing on (3:12-4:1), to rejoice (4:4), and to be reasonable and gentle, maintaining control of themselves in their struggle (4:5).

So the command Paul gives to “not be anxious about anything” is not the first command he gives. It is rooted in an understanding of functioning in unity for the sake of the Gospel and built on a foundation of rejoicing and not losing their heads. Further, the command here is less about avoiding anxiety at all costs (as though that were possible). It’s more about recognizing that we don’t need to waste our time on being anxious about anything. We aren’t big enough to deal with the crisis that looms, but we know the One who is bigger than any crisis! So Paul instructs believers to take that stuff that’s too big for us and give it to the One who can handle it – “by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving” – so that we give our anxieties to God and have the chance to experience a peace that defies the mind, and Paul doesn’t stop there.

Concluding this command is a new idea. “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” It is as if Paul is saying, “Look, if you spend all your time thinking about the crises of your life that you’re not able to change on your own, you’ll waste your life worrying. Give that stuff to God since He can actually do something about it! Instead, focus on the good stuff. If it’s true, honorable, holy, lovely – in other words if it’s excellent or praiseworthy – focus on that! Let that occupy the lion’s share of your thought life! That’s where you’ll experience the God of peace.”

It’s not much of a stretch to find the application of this passage in life today. As we face our own crises, it is way too easy to just focus on the problem and miss the opportunity to focus on the problem solver. So choose not to focus on the crisis. Choose to focus on Christ and those things around you that are truly excellent and worthy of praise. This understanding of anxiety (and what to do with it) can help us become more resilient in the face of crises. Doing this well will be built on a thorough understanding of prayer, so that is where we will focus next week.