The term concerned (μεριμνάω) can have either a positive or negative connotation, depending on the context. Anxiety is a mental and emotional state characterized by worry, fear, or unease, often concerning an excessive concerning about an uncertain or anticipated future event. It involves undue worry, leading to apprehension and uncertainty stemming from the anticipation of an often unrealized threat, which can cause stress and impair both physical and physiological functions. However, within the local assembly we are to be concerned for one another—not in an anxious way, but as members of one body, caring for each other.
In Philippians 4:6, we are instructed not to be anxious about anything. Instead, we are to communicate with God in worship and supplication and, after giving thanks, let our request be made known. Taking the time in our prayer to acknowledge Who God is and what He has done sets our minds in the right frame so that our request is done properly. Rather than worrying about the unknown, we are to let the peace of God guard our hearts.
While giving Israel instructions on the rules of the coming Kingdom, Jesus addresses their anxiety concerning their lives. He explains that they cannot serve two masters: they will either be indifferent to one and love the other, or they will be devoted to one and despise the other. They cannot serve both God and money. Therefore, they are not to worry about what they will eat, drink, or wear in His Kingdom, for God provides for the birds, which neither sow nor reap, and His people are of far greater value to Him (Matthew 6:24-26).
What does anxiety accomplish for us? Can we, by worrying about our stature, add a single inch to our height? Unlike the Gentiles, who concern themselves with food, drink, and clothing, the Jews were instructed to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33–34). As Jesus speaks of the Kingdom of Heaven, also known as the Millennial Kingdom, He addresses salvation, for the Kingdom of God is closely related to salvation. Rather than seeking God’s righteousness, Israel sought to establish her own and did not submit to God’s righteousness (Romans 10:3). Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes, for He died for our sins and was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures (Romans 10:4; 1 Corinthians 15:1–4).
Within the Church, there should be no divisions. Instead, we are to care for one another because we are all part of one body (1 Corinthians 12:25). When one member suffers, the other members suffer with them; when one is honored, all rejoice together. We are instructed to love one another (John 13:34). Therefore, within the local assembly, our attitude toward other saints should always be to seek the best for them rather than ourselves. This sometimes requires us to forgo our freedom in the Lord to avoid causing a brother or sister to stumble. Not as those serving under the law, but as those serving God, we do so for their conscience's sake while they learn to properly apply the truth in their lives.
We are to be humble, submitting to others, for God arranges Himself as in war against the proud but gives a benefit without consideration of merit to the humble (1 Peter 5:5). Always remember that He cares about us (1 Peter 5:7). However, Satan does not want us to have a humble mind focused on the truth. He roams around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour with bitterness, disappointment, and discouragement, and many other tactics designed to lead us to act independently of God. Rather than being anxious, we are to stand firm and resist him by the faith—the Armor of God (1 Peter 5:8).
What we care about in this life is significant and directly influences our physical and mental responses to our circumstances. Undue concern can lead to stress, sleeplessness, irrational fear, and poor decisions. In times of difficulty—whether due to financial uncertainty, challenging circumstances, or health issues—our focus should be on seeking the desires of the Holy Spirit, who now dwells in us. By doing so, the peace of God can guard our hearts, preventing us from becoming overly consumed with the affairs of this world.