Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

(v6, NIV)

What does Paul's instruction here mean? Well, he instructs his readers to not be anxious about anything. Basically, don't worry about anything. As human beings we tend to be very worrisome. We worry about all sorts of things. As a student, we may worry about our marks or the next assignment or the next exam. Some may worry about work, anxious about deadlines and their bosses.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

(Matthew 6:25-27, NIV)

For what purpose does worrying serve? Jesus instructs us not to worry as we read in the gospel according to Matthew (A similar account is also in the gospel according to Luke). With regards to our lives, we do not need to worry about our basic needs. God provides for the birds, are we not more valuable than the birds? Since we are more valuable than the birds, would it make sense for God to provide for them and not for us? Of course not. Do not worry. Besides, it is not productive in any way. We can't get anything out of it, even if some of us do believe we can add an extra hour to our lives by worrying. It just doesn't happen and it is not productive, so we shouldn't worry.

Now, this doesn't mean that you shouldn't take notice or be concerned about things. Paul's instruction to not be anxious is not a free pass to be oblivious to everything around us. What it does mean is that we shouldn't partake in fruitless worry over situations that continue to fill us with anxiety. Do not be anxious about anything.