Phil 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus.

Be anxious <3309>, merimnao: (1) to be anxious, to be troubled with cares (2) to care for, to look out for. From merimna <3308> (care, anxiety), from merizo (divide, distribute, give part), from meros (part, portion, lot, destiny, a part of a whole).

*Things = the things that drive us: Power (Security, Significance), Pleasure, Possessions

We are strongly encouraged not to worry and not to care for temporal things but for eternal things

Worry: Mat 6:31-34 "Therefore do not worry <3309>, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry <3309> about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry <3309> about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Lu 10:41 And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried <3309> and troubled about many things.
Care for: Lu 8:14 "Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares <3308>, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. Lu 21:34 "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares <3308> of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 1Co 7:32 But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares <3309> for the things of the Lord--how he may please the Lord. 1Co 7:33 But he who is married cares <3309> about the things of the world--how he may please his wife. 1Co 12:25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have <3309> the same care <3309> for one another. Php 2:20 For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care <3309> for your state.

Anxiety demonstrates a lack of faith and trust, will not be blessed, and is even sinful

Luke 12:28-29  "If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith? "And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. Jer 17:5-8. Thus says the LORD: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the LORD. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited. "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.
James 4:13-15. Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit"; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that." But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. Rom 14:23 for whatever is not from faith is sin.

Anxiety is not justified when you are obedient to God and when you have a correct eternal perspective

Luke 12: 31-32 "But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. " Ps 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. 12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You! Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God. John 14: 15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. Pr 10:24 The fear of the wicked will come upon him, and the desire of the righteous will be granted.

The main antidote for anxiety is trustful prayer. Placing things in God’s hands and leave them there.

Phil 4:6-7. Ps 18:3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies. 1Pe 5:7 casting all your care <3308> upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 John 5:14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. Joh 14:14 "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

God has a track-record, in the Bible, in the Body, and in our own lives. We can trust Him.

1 Sam 17, 2 Kings 18 & 19. 2 Chron 20:1-30. Ezra 8:21-23

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. Why does Jesus seem to get upset whenever He encounters “little faith”? How would He respond to you?
2. What are some of the things you tend to get anxious about? What are some of the lies you may believe in these areas?
3. If there is not much anxiety in your life, is this because you are applying Phil 4:6,7, or is it because you frankly don’t care?
4. What can you do to help other people who struggle with anxiety? How does it differ for believers and unbelievers?
5. What can you do this week to make sure you have less anxiety and less care for the things of this world?