Fear, Anxiety, Worry, and Depression: At some point we all experience these potentially paralyzing emotions. As a result of the fall of Adam, circumstances such as the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, unexpected illness, and seemingly unending numbers of distressing incidents occur all throughout our lives on this earth. These issues are not unique. They are universally widespread. You could even say we have a worldwide pandemic of anxiety inducing situations. Believers are not excluded from the circumstances that bring about these emotional responses. Nowhere in Scripture are believers promised that they will never lose a job or never get sick or never lose a loved one. On the contrary, we see many examples throughout the Bible of those who experienced these very things and much more. One such example is the Apostle Paul. He was beaten, stoned, snake bitten, shipwrecked, and imprisoned multiple times. During his first imprisonment Paul wrote his encouraging letter to the Philippian church. From his prison cell he wrote these inspired words, “Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.” (Philippians 2:17-18) Even facing the possibility of death at the end of his confinement, Paul expressed gladness and joy and encouraged his readers to do likewise. How is this humanly possible? How do we find gladness and joy in the midst of life’s most difficult circumstances? We certainly can’t be expected to “rejoice” when life-altering calamity strikes, can we? I believe the Apostle Paul clearly and adequately answers those questions when he says, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4) The man who was writing this letter from prison, who was not certain he would make it out alive, twice exhorted his fellow believers to ALWAYS “rejoice in the Lord”. Paul is not saying that believers will never experience worry or anxiety. I believe it is likely that he is speaking from the experience of needing to overcome these emotions during his own difficult trials, in one of which he currently finds himself. He is reminding us that our temporal earthly circumstances, no matter how difficult, should not ultimately determine our joy, or lack thereof. As believers, our joy is never simply a temporary emotional high based on favorable circumstances. Our joy as believers is always found in our permanent position in Christ. The salvation that He provides to those who belong to Him is forever and unwaveringly secure. That is why, regardless of our circumstances, like the Apostle Paul and with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can rejoice always in Christ’s saving work on our behalf. Do you believe that? Our anxiety and worry only serve to prove our sinful mistrust in the One who laid down His life to rescue us from the bonds of sin. In our anxiety, we attribute to ourselves control over our circumstances that only our sovereign God has. My dear fellow depressed, fearful, anxious, worriers, this is not our identity. If then you are in Christ, rest completely in His sovereignty, pray boldly and unceasingly, trust in the truth and sufficiency of His Word, and REJOICE ALWAYS!
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. – Philippians 4:4-9