Philippians And Stress 5: Choose Not To Be Anxious Series

PHILIPPIANS AND STRESS: CHOOSE NOT BE ANXIOUS—Philippians 4:4-9

***Project on the screen a hand-written note: “Dear stress, Let’s break up.” If only it were that simple!**

The Apostle Paul was writing the letter to the Philippians from prison, or perhaps house arrest. It had to be a stressful situation. Yet in Philippians 4:13, he says, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.” Paul was eager to share what he had learned through hard experience.

So he says in Philippians 4:6, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything…”

Can we choose to rejoice always? Can we choose not to be anxious?

Of course, there are some people who are plagued with a clinical case of anxiety, perhaps a chemical imbalance, or something deeper. There is no shame in seeking professional help, or benefitting from prescription drugs, as well counseling. But for most of us, including himself in his stressful circumstances, he says, “Do not be anxious…”

Instead, “Rejoice in the Lord.” Choose to rejoice.

***The Old Testament prophet Habakkuk, who lived in a very stressful time, wrote a poem about choosing to rejoice. Habakkuk 3:17-19, “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I WILL REJOICE in the LORD, I WILL BE JOYFUL in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.”**

While we may not be able to choose what happens TO US, we can choose what happens WITH US.

WE CAN CHOOSE TO PRAY

Read Philippians 4:4-7.

Prayer is an alternative to worry, fear, or anxiety.

When Jesus was anxious, what did he do? Matthew 26:37-39 tells us, “He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’ Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’”

When anxiety overwhelms us, prayer may be the last thing on our minds. If our plate is full, we might feel like we don’t have time. We want to DO something, so we run around being busy. Yet prayer settles our minds, and allows God to guide us to peace.

How should we pray? Paul tells us.

“By prayer and petition….present your requests to God.” Worrying on your knees is not prayer, and it doesn’t help! (How many times have you done that?) We should ask God to change the situation, or to change us. We should get down to business: What do I want, and what do I need? (not always the same) What might God want for the people I care about? Maybe even write it out.

“…with thanksgiving…” This is not foolish, like saying, “Thank you, God, that my life stinks and evil is winning.” It is more like, “Thank you, God, that I can trust you with my life, and you can use bad things to work for the good.” And don’t forget to thank God for the good things. You may have lost your job, but not your health. You may have lost your health, but not your family. You may have lost your friends but not your character.

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Prayer is not only asking, and even more than thanking God. Prayer is finding peace in God.

***When our daughter was 4 years old, she came home from Sunday School with a profound bit of wisdom: “Sometimes you don’t have to ask God for anything. Sometimes you just want to talk to him.”**

Prayer is talking to God, our Father, who is really there, who loves and cares for us. Just talking with him can make a huge difference. Our heart and mind are changed, and the Spirit of Christ brings peace.

We can choose to pray.

WE CAN CHOOSE TO FILL OUR MINDS WITH POSITIVE THOUGHTS

Philippians 4:8, “Brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

This is not unrealistic mind-manipulation. It is choosing our perspective.

Our minds are always filled with something. When we are stressed, our mind can be flooded with all kinds of irrational or unhealthy thoughts. If we can fill our minds with good things, there will be less room for the bad. Paul has a list of good things: