Healing Scriptures - Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything

Philippians 4:6-7 was written by Paul to encourage the early church to stand strong in their faith. In the first part of the verse, Paul writes that we shouldn’t worry or be anxious about anything. This command may seem frustrating—if not impossible.

When the pressures of this world put a strain on our souls and bodies, we often try to cope in any way we can. Some of the ways we try to manage might be healthy, but others could be distracting us from what truly matters. Worry can be a heavy load to carry alone. But God doesn’t want it to be that way. Philippians 4:6-7 demonstrates that we can approach God with every fear, care, and worry knowing that He hears our requests.

Our restless souls and worried minds make it hard to simply “turn off” our fears. Yet we aren’t meant to struggle to stop our anxiety or change our difficult circumstances alone. The verse goes on to say that rather than worry, we should give our requests to God through prayer. God is big enough to handle our concerns, and no worry is too small for us to take to His throne of grace. Although we may still have feelings of fear, worry, or anxiety, we can walk through those feelings with God’s help.

Thanksgiving to God

Philippians 4:6-7 goes on to state that we should come in prayer not only with our requests, but also with a gratefulness to God. Often when our minds are consumed with worry, all we can focus on is the problem ahead of us: the sickness we must fight, or the argument that happened late last night. In these moments, it can be extremely difficult to remember to feel thankful.

But thankfulness isn’t just a feeling, it’s also a posture of how we live our lives. It’s easy to forget the blessings and opportunities that God has already given to us. Yet God has already done so much in our lives. We can thank Him for what He has provided while knowing that He hears our requests.

When moments come where we have difficulty remembering anything God has done in our lives, we can still look to Jesus’ finished work on the cross. God made the ultimate demonstration of love to us through the gift of His son. Jesus was willing to lay down His life for us to save us from the powers of sin and darkness. If He was willing to die for us, how willing is He to also hear our requests? His love for us is great and His heart is kind. We can come to Him with our concerns and our praise with the confidence that He hears our cries.

Perfect peace

Paul writes that we can come to God with everything that bothers us. Every situation and every name has to bow under the power of His name. Philippians 4:7 states that as we come to God in prayer, He gives us His perfect peace. This peace is beyond all understanding.

But what is perfect peace? If we can’t understand it, then how can we receive it? Peace in the Bible is a concept that relates back to the Hebrew word shalom. This word does include the definition of peace, but it’s also so much more than that. Shalom includes total wholeness and wellbeing. When God gives us His peace, it is perfect and full of grace. It touches our entire beings and pours over into our minds and souls.

Although we can’t understand the full measure of His peace, we can embrace it in our lives. As human beings, we have limited knowledge of what peace looks like. Our hearts are bruised and broken and sin has shaded our souls from the truth. Yet God speaks grace over us and gives us a peace that is full, complete, and beautiful. We can listen to the word of God and allow His overcoming peace to sweep over all the corners of our lives. As just one example of God’s goodness, the Dobraska family experienced this peace when their daughter had to recover from a head injury.

Revive our hearts

The last part of Philippians 4:7 states that God’s peace will guard our hearts and minds in Christ. Facing heartache is something that can impact both our souls and our physical bodies. Hopelessness and worry steal our joy and tell us the lie that we will never accomplish God’s plan for our lives. But God wants us to fulfill our purpose and give glory to His name. His peace can revive our hearts and give us a new perspective.

Scriptures on healing point us to the only one who can calm our souls, guide our hearts, and call for a ceasefire on the lies that try to take hold in our lives. If your heart’s cry is to find peace and healing today, bring your worries and cares to God. Trade your burdens for His wholeness as you find new life and shalom in Christ Jesus.