God never wanted you to be anxious; instead, He wants you to have an abundant life (John 10:10). You can take hold of this abundant life by properly understanding Philippians 4:6-7: and what it means versus what it does not mean.
Within Philippians 4:6-7 Paul says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This is a beautiful passage of scripture, but what does it mean? Is it possible to be anxious over nothing?
Sadly, many people have incorrectly interpreted this passage to support their own views. As followers of Christ, we must properly understand Philippians 4:6-7 in order to correctly apply it into our lives. Here are 5 things the Bible does not mean when it says to not be anxious.
1. It does not mean you will never be anxious again.
Everyone will face anxieties within their lives, but what you do about them is what matters. Anxieties will often be out of your control, such as an unexpected car bill or the ending of a relationship; however, you must remember that you can turn to God with any worries that you have (1 Peter 5:7). He cares about every struggle and will richly surround you with His peace. Giving your anxiety over to God doesn't have to be complicated; instead, you can freely give control over to Him today.
As the psalmist says, “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy” (Psalm 94:19). Notice here that the psalmist doesn't say anything about anxiety being a problem that separates him from God. Rather, he says that God’s consolation brought him great joy even amidst his anxiety. The same is true for you: God can bring healing to your anxiety, but it doesn't mean your anxiety will never come back. Anxiety is a part of being human, therefore, you don't need to expect it to be fully eradicated on this side of Heaven.
2. It does not mean you will never be afraid.
When the Bible tells us to not be anxious, it is not saying we will never be afraid again. In fact, there will be numerous times where you will be afraid, but this is when you need to turn to God (Psalm 41:10). God meets you where you are and He will bring peace into your soul. This might not happen overnight, but the more time and energy you put into your relationship with God, the more peaceful your life will become. Watch the fear dissipate as you continue to trust in Him (Joshua 1:9).
3. It does not mean you are sinning when you are anxious.
Unfortunately, many Christians think anxiety is some sort of sin problem. This could not be further from the truth. Struggling with anxiety does not mean you are sinning. Instead, it means you are struggling with a complex mental health problem that needs proper treatment and help. When God tells you not to be anxious, it doesn't mean He is condemning you for being anxious.
God never does things like this. Rather, God is telling you not to be anxious because He wants you to have a joyful and peaceful life. Anxiety was not part of the life He created for you; however, it is now part of living in a fallen world. Find strength and hope in God despite this anxious season and allow your trust in Him to grow.
4. It does not mean anxiety is not a real mental health issue.
Similarly, many followers of Christ think anxiety is not a real mental health issue. They reason that since the Bible says “do not be anxious,” that if you are anxious, then it must not be a real problem. As a follower of Christ, it is vital to know that anxiety is a real mental health issue. Struggling with anxiety can affect your entire life. Never allow people to twist Bible passages to make them say things that they do not.
5. It does not mean you will be fully healed of your anxiety once you place your faith in Jesus.
When the Bible says to not be anxious, it is not saying that you will be fully healed from your anxiety at the exact moment you place faith in Jesus. Anxiety will be an ongoing battle for many believers, and it is impractical to say that you will never struggle with it again. Struggling with anxiety is not “proof” of not being saved, rather, it is proof that you are living in a fallen world.
Don't feel ashamed of your anxiety. Choose to accept it and ask the Lord for His help. As the Bible says, “Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame” (Psalm 34:5). Bring all your anxieties to the Lord today and trust Him with them. Don't allow them to dictate your life or worth anymore. Jesus will not divinely take away all your anxiety, worry, and fear, but He will be present with you through them (Psalm 23:1-6).
When the Bible says to not be anxious, it means that you don't need to think you will never be anxious again or that He will divinely heal you of all worries. Instead, it means He will help you carry these anxieties and bring peace into your heart.
