"Be anxious for nothing..."

[MysticMissMisty]

Salvete, omnes!

Paul, in Philippians, tells his hearers/readers to “be anxious for nothing” and then advises them to take our requests to God which will give us peace.

This passage would seem to tell us never at all to be even the least bit anxious. However, is it not natural (in a good way) at least to look ahead and dread the possibility of something occurring that would be displeasing to us? Is that not what motivates us to try, where we can, tel avoid that possibility – since we know we would not like it if it happened? So, is not at least a little anxiety reasonable?

My understanding of this passage is that our anxiety shouldn’t be the “atheistic” kind – the kind that knows not that God is in control and loves us. (After all, isn’t the Greek for “anxiety” at its root a kind of “division”? perhaps meaning our minds are divided between faith in God and doubt of Him) Or, perhaps, it can mean that we should not have the kind of soul-eating-away anxiety (stewing) on problems, especially if we cannot control them (possibly also alluded to in Christ’s saying that --this kind of?-- worry cannot add a single day to one’s life).

Indeed, Christ Himself sweat blood in the garden, possibly indicating some (or even a lot of) dread at the suffering to come (EVEN THOUGH IT WAS GOD’S VERY DIRECT WILL!).

 

[pianistclare]

This may be a breakthrough for you.
I pray it is

 

[Hilarion1021]

Salvete, omnes!

Paul, in Philippians, tells his hearers/readers to “be anxious for nothing” and then advises them to take our requests to God which will give us peace.

This passage would seem to tell us never at all to be even the least bit anxious. However, is it not natural (in a good way) at least to look ahead and dread the possibility of something occurring that would be displeasing to us? Is that not what motivates us to try, where we can, tel avoid that possibility – since we know we would not like it if it happened? So, is not at least a little anxiety reasonable?

You seem to have some anxiety over this question.

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It’s always a good idea to ask not what was literally said but what was meant (we do this all the time in every day life, but we sometimes are afraid to do it when reading the Bible).

Just as Paul did not mean we must pray every second of every day when he said, “pray without end,” neither does he mean “have no fear or trepidation whatsoever.” As you said, some anxiety is good, and a lot of it is uncontrollable (ask anyone with an anxiety disorder).

So what does Paul mean? Have faith in God. Believe in his love and providence. Do no worry unto despair. Remember that God is in charge.

If you’ve ever been in an AA meeting room, you may have seen some of their slogans on the wall. “Let go and let God” - “One day at a time” - “Easy does it” - “First things first” - “This to shall pass” - these are some of the many slogans that reflect the same basic message.

 

[animalis]

“…the cares of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts after other things entering in choke the word, and it is made fruitless” (Mk 4:19)

There is a supreme advantage in the contemplative vocation in that those words of Our Lord are put to good heed. St. Alphonsus, Doctor of the Church, explains this in chapter two of his work “The true spouse of Jesus Christ” (free in google ebooks).

The world presents many enticements to distract a soul from fruitful assiduous prayer. We are told to “be perfect” (Mt 19:21, Lk 6:20, 1 Cor 1:10, 1 Cor 14:20, 2 Cor 13:11, 2 Tim 3:17, Jas 1:4) in the prayer of Jesus to the Father. The work of the Holy Spirit laborers for chosen souls to pray to the Father in Jesus. This labor at times needs our obedience and attention. St. Theresa, in her Life, explains that the Holy Spirit does his greatest works in souls toward perfection when they decide to do ‘violence’ to their self-love. The soul who seeks his or her self in pleasure and the commands of purchases has only a worldly consolation. A fleshy nerve experience. In my opinion, those intoxicated nerves bring worries.

If it wants to avoid the context of pleasure (not that pleasure in itself is sin, that is what Jansenists believed) it pursues the pains of the prayerful sleepless hour(s) during the night and promptness in the performance of duties for obedience alone. And worry not in regard to be crabby or losing a job, ect. This is a walk in which the Holy Spirit inspires in a number of souls. Some do small acts to God with great purity of heart.

To answer your question, the mind that is busy moving the body for others in a contemplative religious state of life will worry less in most cases. Idleness brings worries. It is a warning sign for some to come back in their heart to the triune presence, by any means they are instructed.