Do not be anxious How are we as God’s people to live in a world that is gripped with anxiety and fear? Yet another war… bitter divisions…rising costs at the store and the pump… not to mention the troubling lack of snow. Again and again the scriptures remind us to “not be afraid.” Yet things happen that are beyond our control, and we slip back into worry and fear. We get anxious. Perhaps these verses above from St. Paul to the church in Philippi might be of help to us today: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 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. Philippians 4:4-7 Paul starts out by reminding us that our joy is rooted and grounded in the Lord himself. This is not a “don’t worry, be happy” carefree attitude, but rather a deep knowing that the Lord of the universe (the one who knit you together in your mother’s womb) loves you and is watching over you. It is this sense of knowing and being known by the Lord that is displayed as “reasonableness (gentle kindness) to everyone.” The apostle continues by reminding us that “the Lord is at hand.” God has not abandoned us nor those whom we love. Paul tells us at the end of the 8th chapter of Romans that NOTHING can or will separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. And so, we are told to “not be anxious about anything.” Easy to say…hard to do. But notice also that Paul tells the church in Philippi (and us) exactly what to do about anxiety: PRAY! In fact, he uses four different words to encourage this: prayer, supplication, thanksgiving, and requests. Your heavenly Father wants to know what is on your heart and mind. Tell him what you are worried about. Pour out your heart’s fears and questions. Tell him what you need. AND...tell him those things for which you are thankful! And what is end result of all this praying and rejoicing? The peace of God! That peace which calms the troubled heart. That peace that says “I’m right here with you...walking beside you in the midst of all that frightens you.” That peace that will guard and protect your heart and mind when everyone around you seems to be losing theirs. That peace that nothing in this world can give. So how are we to live in these uncertain times? Be joyful in the Lord. Remember that God is close at hand. Pray and give thanks. And let God’s peace hold you and those you love! Blessings,
Matthew+ Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP p. 218) | 
