Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! (5) Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. (6) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (7) and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
The letter to the Philippians was written by the apostle Paul while in prison in Rome. Our verses open with the command (the repeated command) to rejoice. What is foundational in this command is an abiding confidence that God is sovereign. Our circumstances may not change but we can change. We must choose to obey – an attitude and a decision – and we are promised not superficial happiness but contentment and hope in our faithful God. Joy comes from God operating through the believer who finds joy not in the world but in his/her God through Christ. Believers don’t have righteousness in themselves from keeping the law but from saying no to self and yes to God. We are to live by faith not by feelings – to be rational not emotional.
Anxiety stems from a lack of faith – a wrong focus on things of this world. Living to please ourselves is counter productive to peace and never lasts. Lack of anxiety about things of this present life indicates NOT a lack of care but confidence in God. My college roommate’s mother used to say to us “what does it matter in the light of eternity?” At the time we laughed about it but it always stuck in my mind. Paul tells us to bring everything – all which pertains to body, mind, living conditions, friends, conflicts, losses, trials and fears – to the Lord. And to do so with clear eyed thanksgiving. God knows our needs but requires we come and express them to Him.
When we confidently know God will supply what we need – not want – we will have peace. This commitment to God has a peace not known elsewhere. Man cannot successfully live by his own powers. Turning to God through Christ in all trials and wants preserves the mind from distressing anxiety. Paul is telling the faithful just how to rejoice in the Lord always.