“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Phil. 4:6). 

I’m not a Bible scholar. I haven’t been to seminary, and I’ve never studied ancient Greek. There are plenty of times when I wonder what a passage of Scripture really means. But in this case, it seems clear that “anything” means just what it says – anything.

… but the coronavirus sounds like it could really be bad. It could affect me and people I love. Don’t be anxious about anything. 

… but my retirement account just took a big hit when the stock market crashed. I don’t know what we’ll do. Don’t be anxious about anything.

… but our national politics are so unsettling. It’s tearing our country apart and it seems impossible to find common ground. Don’t be anxious about anything. 

… but my church is a mess. We’d rather fight than listen, taking a cue from the political arena and forgetting our shared faith and Christian values. Don’t be anxious about anything.

… but surely Paul didn’t understand how crazy and complicated our world would be when he wrote those words. He was only imprisoned, rejected by his own tribe, living under an oppressive military regime, and without any of the benefits of modern medicine and technology. 

I don’t write this blog as someone who has mastered the practice of not being anxious. In fact, I agree with one friend who told me that it’s impossible to be non-anxious. I simply want to remind you (and me) that “anything” really does mean anything, and call us to become a less anxious presence by presenting our requests to God in prayer, petition, and thanksgiving. 

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