Anxiety - Peter's and Paul's teaching about anxiety (Part 3)

Peter’s and Paul’s teaching about anxiety

Today we will finish our discussion about anxiety by introducing two additional voices into the conversation. These two voices belong to Peter and Paul, who either spent a long amount of time with Jesus personally while Jesus was in human form on the earth (Peter) or who had a dramatic encounter with Jesus and received a significant amount of spiritual information (revelation) from Jesus which Jesus intended him to pass on to others (Paul). 

Below is what each of them said.

Peter:

[6] Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, [7] casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. [8] Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. [9] Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. [10] And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. (1 Peter 5:6–10)

Paul:

[4] Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. [5] Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; [6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. [8] 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. [9] 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 4:4–9)

Let’s distill what each of them said.

First, what did they command?

Peter’s commands: 

Humility

Casting cares on God (through prayer)

Sober-mindedness (realism without diminishing faith)

Watchfulness (spiritually)

Paul’s commands: 

Rejoicing (continually)

Avoiding anxiety (about anything)

Prayer (supplication or prayer about specific things)

Thinking about things which are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy 

Next, what did they promise?

Peter’s promises:

God (himself) will restore (bring back to prior whole / full condition), confirm (validate), strengthen, and establish (make long-lasting) you

Paul’s promises:

Heavenly peace will guard your heart (soul) and mind (conscious thought)

God will be with you 

Think with me: Is there anything more that you want beyond these promises of Peter and Paul? 

I must say: I crave the restoration, confirmation, strengthening, and establishing which God can give me, and I yearn for the heavenly peace and presence of God. 

Questions to consider and discuss:

Do you think perfect peace is possible in this life? 

Do you think it is possible to be free from anxiety in this life? 

If it were, how much would you pay to purchase it? 

How far would you be willing to go (figuratively or physically-speaking) to get it? 

Prayer:

Oh heavenly Father, whom Jesus talked about so confidently; oh Jesus, Son of God, who gave us such amazing promises; I ask you now to come and help me in my anxious struggles! I desperately need you to help me! I want to be completely free from anxiety!

I trust and believe that you know my daily needs for food and clothing, and I believe that these things are all I need. 

Help me to think and plan carefully (with emotion and deep thought) only about the needs for each day, unless you are specifically asking me to think and plan for more than each day. Help me to be humble.

Help me to cast my cares on you.

Help me to be sober-minded.

Help me to be watchful.

Help me to rejoice in all circumstances.

Help me to be anxious about nothing.

Help me to pray in all circumstances.

Help me to think about heavenly and wonderful things.

I believe that you will give me all of the rewards promised by Jesus, Peter, and Paul in the passages we examined above. I am waiting to see what you will do for me. I trust in you alone!

In the name of Jesus I pray, AMEN.
Additional passage for consideration and reflection: 1 Timothy 6:6-8