I’m Thankful it’s a Comma and Not a Period
Philippians 4:6 reads
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Imagine if it read, “Do not be anxious about anything.” Yikes! If it were a period, many days I’d be in a constant state of apology with God. “Oops, sorry, God.” “My bad, there I go again.” “Oh sheesh, sorry.” “And again, I apologize, God.” “Oh please forgive me, I did it again.”
But, the comma. The comma turns this into gentle, inspiring guidance providing us with “instead of” behaviors for our worry and anxiety.
In Occupational Therapy, when I work with children who have sensory-seeking behaviors, I teach them “instead of” behaviors. Instead of biting your friend, chew on your chewlery. Instead of running around the classroom, jump on a trampoline before you go to school. Instead of touching your friends, touch the Velcro we’ve secured under your desk. Children who struggle with sensory-seeking behaviors are dealing with a need not a want. Their little bodies were designed to need that input. So, in OT we meet that need in ways that aren’t as socially disruptive.
I think as humans we were designed to worry and be anxious. It is part of our animalistic nature. Moms across many species worry about their babies. You’ve seen the video of the momma duck whose babies dropped down the sewer grate. Or the momma dog who paces around her new litter of puppies when too many people are around. Or the mommy elephant who went to get human assistance because she was anxious about the health of her newborn. Those animals are showing obvious signs of worry and anxiety. Worry and anxiety are a byproduct of our feelings of love and protection. Worry and anxiety are in our nature.
What is written after the comma in Philippians 4:6, provides us with “instead of” behaviors when it comes to worry and anxiety. Instead of worrying about everything, present your worries to God. Humbly tell Him what you need. More specifically, Paul writes that we should do so through prayer and with thanksgiving.
We are reminded to pray first. This is something I’ve worked on for years and I’m pretty sure I’ll be working on for my entirety. Before I worry, before I stew, before I become riddled with anxiety; pray. With time, intentionality, and a lot of practice, I’m getting better at it. When I pray first, it is a game-changer. When I first ask Him to intervene and I hand over all that I can’t control, I am reassured with His peace. He reminds me that everything will be ok no matter the situation. He doesn’t tell me the situation is ok, or it shouldn’t have happened, or that He will take it away, or that things won’t drastically change. He tells me through His grace and power, regardless of the situation, everything will be ok. I will be ok, and my family will be ok.
With thanksgiving. When my mom heart is in a situation that has triggered worry and anxiety, I’m usually not feeling terribly thankful. I’m not feeling thankful about being in that situation, I’m not feeling thankful that my child is suffering, I’m not feeling thankful that my family is struggling. But, He is calling me to be thankful instead of worried. Being thankful is one of the “instead of” behaviors for worry and anxiety. For the longest time, I refused to be thankful for the bad situation. I would be thankful for God staying by my side. I would be thankful that it wasn’t worse. I’d be thankful that we had each other. But I just couldn’t be thankful for the awful situation. I have recently worked on being able to thank God for the bad situation because I trust Him. I trust that he is using it for his glory and my refinement. That is bold and scary and I can’t always do it. But when I can, it is very, very good. He is very, very good.
For today, I am grateful that God has given me an “instead of” behavior for my worry and anxiety. I’m designed to worry and be anxious but by the grace of God, I’m equipped to deal with it through prayer and thanksgiving.
God, thank you for giving all of us moms an “instead of” behavior for our worries. Thank you for equipping us to deal with the tough stuff that comes with momming. And thank you for walking with us through the difficult times so that we may glorify You while You are refining us and preparing us for that one glorious day. Thank you for Your Son, Jesus Christ, who was the perfect executor of “instead of” behaviors. With gratitude, I lift this up in Your Son’s precious holy name.