“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:6-7
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Being nervous and being anxious are two different things. To be nervous is to be human. I was nervous when I made my MLB debut in front of 46,000 people at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore — the magnitude of the moment after spending seven years in the minors, the adrenaline was flowing, and I wanted to do well. I had those butterflies in my belly, but the Lord helped me manage the moment and focus to throw three shutout innings and record a save for the team.
But anxiety is different. We get anxious when we become fearful of potential negative consequences, contemplate failure, and attempt to control more than we are capable of in any given moment. That anxiety can lead to sadness and depression, and can become paralyzing before anything has happened. Anxiety can creep into our lives through sports, school, professions, finances and relationships.
The apostle Paul commands us to “not be anxious about anything” (Philippians 4:6). But how are we to handle difficult moments? “In every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
By faith through prayer, we are to take every concern to the throne of our Heavenly Father. He loves us, knows us and stands ready to help us with each concern we take to Him. He promises to exchange our anxiety with His peace that will stand guard over our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (v. 7).
— Mickey Weston, Chicago White Sox chaplain
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