He is Near
Written by Kate Weaver
"The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
- Philippians 4:5b-7
Your chest grows tight, heart pounding. Heat creeps its fingers slowly up your face. Your mind races.
Anxiety often holds us in its grip. We live in a world filled with things beyond our control, yet we foolishly try to hold it all together. New job responsibilities, an infant’s schedule we cannot predict, dangers, political strife, and family conflict. All these remind us that our control is an illusion. Still, we grasp for it and it slips through our fingers like grains of sand.
The oft-quoted verses from Philippians tell us to be anxious for nothing, but we tend to miss the declaration that comes before this command. The very remedy to our fears is found at the beginning of the sentence, which falls at the end of verse 5: The LORD is at hand. He is near. God has given us a balm for our fear-ridden hearts. Himself. His presence is in His very name: Immanuel, God with us. Breathe deeply, friend. For those who call on Christ, peace is promised. He is ever near, always good, and He holds all things together.
PRAYER: LORD, I confess to You my desire to control. This is Your job, not mine. Forgive me. Thank You for Your promised peace, and that You stand ready to help me when I ask. I trust You, O LORD, with (name what grips your anxious heart). Remind me that You are ever near.
