In his Daily Devotional, Watchman Nee commented on the famous verses in Philippians 4:6-7 that begin, “In nothing be anxious.” Let’s take a look at the scripture, followed by his commentary, and then reflect on this important message.
In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7.
Watchman Nee commented:
Seldom have I seen Christians without anxiety. The vast majority are weighed down with many worries. There was once a mother who had seven sons. She declared, “I am worried to death about every son of mine until they all grow up to be saved.” When a brother told her that it was wrong for her to worry—that it actually was a sin to worry—she retorted by saying, “A mother ought to be anxious for her own children. Not to worry is sinful.” So this brother showed her the words in Philippians 4.6-7. Yet she regarded the anxiety spoken of there as probably not having reference to her kind of anxiety, for according to her thinking, a wife ought to worry about her husband, parents ought to worry about their children, and businessmen ought to be anxious about their business. Let us clearly see, though, that the Bible states categorically: “In nothing be anxious”—period!
Trusting God Through Prayer
Anxiety is a universal human experience, often rooted in our deep concern for the well-being of loved ones, personal responsibilities, or uncertain futures. In Philippians 4:6, the apostle Paul challenges believers to live counter to their natural inclinations: “In nothing be anxious, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Watchman Nee’s reflection on this verse underscores the freedom available when we surrender our worries to God, reminding us that anxiety is not merely a human weakness but a spiritual burden we are invited to release.
The Nature of Anxiety
Nee begins by observing how deeply ingrained anxiety is, even among Christians. Many believers, like the mother in his example, view worry as a natural or even virtuous response to their responsibilities. This mother believed that a lack of anxiety for her children would signal indifference or neglect. Her reaction reveals a common misconception: that love and worry are inseparable.
Yet anxiety, when closely examined, is less about love and more about fear and control. We worry because we feel inadequate to meet the demands of life or because we believe the outcomes depend entirely on us. This perspective subtly excludes God from the equation. When we allow anxiety to take root, we are essentially declaring that we must bear life’s burdens alone—a belief that contradicts the biblical truth of God’s sovereignty and care.
“In Nothing Be Anxious”
Paul’s exhortation in Philippians 4:6 is clear and uncompromising: “In nothing be anxious.” There are no exceptions, no allowances for “justifiable” worry. Whether it is concern for our children, health, finances, or future, the Bible invites us to lay all of it at God’s feet. This can feel counterintuitive, especially when we equate anxiety with responsibility, but Paul points to a better alternative: prayer and supplication with thanksgiving.
To pray is to acknowledge God’s authority and goodness. To offer supplication is to bring our specific concerns before Him, trusting in His ability to act. Thanksgiving transforms our perspective, shifting our focus from what we lack to what God has already provided. Together, these practices cultivate faith and peace, uprooting anxiety from our hearts.
The Sin of Anxiety
Nee’s devotion confronts a difficult truth: anxiety, far from being a neutral emotional state, can become sin when it reflects a lack of trust in God. This is not to condemn those who struggle with worry—after all, it is a common human experience—but to encourage a shift in perspective. When we allow worry to dominate our thoughts, we are essentially saying that God’s promises are insufficient or that His power is limited.
The mother in Nee’s example illustrates this well. Her refusal to relinquish her anxiety was not born of love but of unbelief. She could not accept that God’s care for her children exceeded her own. This is a struggle many of us share: we cling to our worries because letting them go feels like losing control. But in truth, releasing anxiety is an act of surrender to the One who is infinitely more capable than we are.
Experiencing Peace Through Surrender
Paul continues in Philippians 4:7 by promising a remarkable outcome: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This peace is not dependent on external circumstances; it flows from trust in God’s character and His ability to work all things for good.
Surrendering our anxieties does not mean we stop caring about the people or responsibilities entrusted to us. Rather, it means acknowledging our limitations and entrusting those concerns to God. Like a child who rests securely in the arms of a loving parent, we can find peace when we trust that God is both willing and able to care for us.
Applying the Truth
To live free from anxiety requires daily, intentional practice. When worries arise, we can choose to turn them into prayers. In nothing be anxious. Instead of dwelling on what might go wrong, we can thank God for His faithfulness in the past and His promises for the future. This shift in focus, while simple, is profoundly transformative.
Through Philippians 4:6 and Nee’s devotion, we are reminded that freedom from anxiety is not about denying our struggles but about redirecting them to the One who invites us to cast all our cares upon Him. In doing so, we not only honor God but also experience the peace and rest that He longs to give.
Let us, then, take Paul’s words to heart: in nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let us bring our requests to God, trusting that His peace will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
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Focus Keyphrase: In Nothing Be Anxious
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