I’ve always seen this verse as almost a singular command, to not be anxious, much as Jesus admonishes us in the Sermon on the Mount. In many ways it is, but in context I think the emphasis of these verses is not to be anxious for nothing, but to fix your focus on God.
In verse one the chapter begins with “stand firm in the Lord.” How do we stand firm? By keeping our eyes fixed on Christ.
In verse four Paul writes, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” Then in verses 6–7 he identifies anxiety as something that we often set our eyes on and something that turns us away from God. People often describe anxiety as the thief of joy, that is the joy of God. So Paul says, pray with thanksgiving, and the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds. Thanksgiving refocuses our minds on God, the source of all joy and peace.
Then in the verses directly following he encourages us to fix our eyes on the things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellent, and praiseworthy.
Perhaps this verse is less the antidote for anxiety, and more a simple and powerful example that by turning our eyes back to Christ in prayer and thanksgiving, we can overcome even the sneakiest thieves and receive God’s amazing joy and peace — proof that God can lift me from the depths of my sin and weakness: what great incentive to keep my eyes fixed on Him!
Discussion
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