Philippians 4:6-7

“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.” 

The idea of not being anxious about anything seems like a lofty (if not absurd) ideal to me as I read this. There is so much to be anxious about this year. When will this COVID situation be over? What happens if I or someone I care about catches it? What’s going to happen next in politics? How will I make this career work out? And the list goes on and on…  I’d love to not be anxious about anything but sitting in the middle of everything going on in the world and in my life, I question the possibility of a claim like that.

But as I consider about praying from a place of thankfulness in each of these anxious moments, so many thoughts come to mind of the ways God has provided for me and my wife right in the middle of the chaos this year. I got furloughed from work but have seen opportunity and a new career come out of it. I haven’t been able to see nearly as many people I care about this year, but I’ve made some great new friends and have grown closer to the few that I have been able to see. And all through the year, we’ve had a roof over our heads and food on the table.

Looking back, God was present in the anxiousness for us and in hindsight, as wild as 2020 seemed, God had it under control. And there’s a genuine peace in that. If I can get myself to remember those moments of God’s faithfulness in what may have been the most unprecedented year of my life, I think I the idea of not being anxious about whatever else life throws at me seems a bit more obtainable.

— Nik Miner