Youth · Day 3 of 7
When You Are Anxious
Read: Philippians 4:4-13 (KJV)
4Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 5Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. 10But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. 11Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Read the whole chapter ›What it means
Paul wrote these words while he was a prisoner. He was not sitting somewhere comfortable when he said 'Be careful for nothing,' which in KJV language means do not be anxious about anything. That matters, because this is not advice from someone who never had problems. Anxiety is real for a lot of teenagers. Grades, college, what people think of you, family stress, the news, and the constant noise of social media. Paul's answer is not 'just stop worrying.' His answer is to turn every worry into a prayer: 'in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.' Every thing. Not just the big stuff. And notice the thanksgiving. Gratitude reminds you that God has been faithful before, so you can trust Him now. The promise is not that every problem disappears, but that the peace of God will keep, or guard, your heart and mind. Then Paul tells us what to think about: things that are true, honest, pure, and lovely. What you scroll through shapes what you worry about. If anxiety feels heavy or constant, prayer matters, and so does talking with a parent, pastor, or trusted adult. God often brings peace through the people He puts around you.
Key verse
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 (KJV)
Journal it
- List the top three things you are worried about right now. Turn each one into a one-sentence prayer.
- What are you filling your mind with most days? How does it affect your peace?
- Write down five things you are thankful for today, big or small.
Write your answers in a notebook or the notes app on your phone.