Stand Fast, and Do Not Be Anxious

When I wrote "therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord" (Philippians 4:1), that little word therefore reaches back to all I had just said — that our citizenship is in heaven, that Christ will change our lowly bodies to be like his glorious one. Because that is where you are going, plant your feet where you are now. You are my joy and my crown; standing firm is not a burden I lay on you but a longing I have for you.

Then I named two women who could not agree — Euodias and Syntyche — and I did not pretend the trouble away. I begged them to be of one mind in the Lord, and I asked a faithful yokefellow to help them, for these had labored beside me in the gospel and their names are in the book of life. Note where the unity is found: not in one of them winning, but "in the Lord." When two who both belong to Christ remember whose they are, the ground for peace is already beneath their feet.

And now the heart of it. "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice" (Philippians 4:4). I say it twice because I mean it in every weather — I write it in chains. This joy is not a mood but a settled turning toward the Lord who does not change. "Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand" (Philippians 4:5). Be gentle, be yielding, let go of your grip — for he is near, both close beside you now and coming soon, and the one who has the last word can afford to be gracious in this hour.

Here then is the cure for the anxiety that gnaws at you: "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God" (Philippians 4:6). Not worry less by trying harder — but pray, about every single thing, with your hand open in thanks even before the answer comes. I do not promise you will get all you ask. I promise something better: "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7). Peace like a sentry, standing guard over the very place where fear breaks in.

Then guard also what you feed your mind. "Whatsoever things are true... honest... just... pure... lovely... of good report... think on these things" (Philippians 4:8). You cannot always choose what enters your day, but you can choose where your thoughts dwell, and a mind that dwells in the true and the pure is a mind at rest. Last, I said, "those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do" (Philippians 4:9) — not because I am your pattern, but because I follow Christ, and this life is meant to be lived and not merely admired.

So today: stand fast, make peace with the brother you have quarreled with, rejoice, and take the thing you are most afraid of — name it — and hand it to God with thanks. And the God of peace himself shall be with you. Grace and peace to you.