FREEDOM TO STRESS-LESS
Freedom! Series #5
PHILIPPIANS 4:4-9
INTRODUCTION: (Video: Running Just to Catch Myself = 4:18 - www.youtube.com)
And then it starts all over again. And no matter what your name.. Ross or otherwise - you can probably relate. We are worn-out, burnt-out and stressed-out. We live in a "pressure-cooker" world according to statistics we are not handling it very well. Suicide has increased 100% in the last decade. According to Reader’s Digest stress is the #1 medical problem in the United States. The AIS, the American Institute of Stress - Yeah, there’s actually such a place - which says a lot! - their research says that 75- 90% of all visits to primary care physicians are for stress related problems. They agree with health officials who say that heart disease, strokes, gastritis, ulcers and many other diseases are stress related. Stress from work, their research shows, is responsible for up to 80% of the sick days taken by employees. Rollo May, a well known Christian psychologist says that "stress is one of the most urgent problems of our time and anxiety has now become the official emotion of our day." Well, as we continue in our series on Freedom! there may not be a more practical message to hear then what God says in our passage. Vs. 6 says, "Do not be anxious (don’t stress) about anything.." Paul gives 5 key phrases to help us reduce the stress in our lives. So, let’s look at his prescription for “Freedom to stress-less.”
I. REJOICE CONTINUALLY: vss:4-5
The Good News Version translates vs:4- "May you always be joyful in your life in the Lord. I say it again: rejoice." Is he kidding? "We’re supposed to ALWAYS be joyful in life?” Is that even possible? How much joy is there in learning you have cancer? How joyful are you when you find your spouse has been unfaithful? How filled with joy can you possibly be when a loved one dies? There must be a hundred things in this life that can knock the props right out from under you, hundreds of kill joys. What makes this statement even harder is that the construction of this verse is imperative, i.e., it is a command. Paul is saying, "I’m giving you this charge, I order you - "Rejoice!" Is Paul’s emphatic imperative here just a tad impractical? Well, not when you understand what all three parts of that phrase mean individually.
(1) "Rejoice" in this verse, is not talking about worldly happiness. Ever had someone insist upon taking a photograph when you’re just not feeling it? You smile but it’s a stilted, forced smile. Paul is not talking about keeping a stilted smile on your face even through horrendous circumstances. He is not talking about surface delight at all. He is talking about an inner peace, he is referring here to deep sacred delight that comes from knowing that no matter what the outer circumstances are, inwardly you have the joy of Jesus. Think about it like a submarine. On the surface of the ocean a hurricane may be blowing. Wind and waves may be in a frenzy. But far beneath the surface, the submarine glides in tranquil water. Well, that’s what Paul is saying here. "No matter what is happening on the surface, don’t allow the depths of your faith, the quietness of your trust to be disturbed.” And how can we do that?
(2) By understanding where our joy is placed. Notice he doesn’t say, "Rejoice, always." He says, "Rejoice in the Lord always." That prepositional phrase is used 9x in this letter. And each time it is used it is referring to situations that are impossible for any of us to handle alone. Once again Paul is a great example. He was encouraged "in the Lord" even though he was in chains. He was confident "in the Lord" even though he was in prison. He tells us to stand firm "in the Lord" even though our citizenship is not of this world. We are to agree with one anther "in the Lord" even though we may disagree. You see this is a joy that is not dependent on what we relate to in this world, but who our relationship is with in our inner world. As it says in Romans 8:35- "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or sword?.. no, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."
(3) And that helps us to understand what Paul means when he says, "always." . One of the great things about being a Christian is that, because of our relationship with Jesus, we can be positive people in spite of negative circumstances. The secret for remaining joy-filled is remembering Jesus and His great promises. Doctor says I have cancer? Can’t steal my joy.. Jesus promises I’ll get a new body one day. Someone disappoints? Can’t steal this joy.. I’ll depend on Jesus for my approval and acceptance because Jesus has always been faithful, never disappointed me. Death? Won’t kill my joy! Jesus has defeated death. My sin? no kill joy either.. Jesus forgives. "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice!"
And not only is that to be an inner conviction but our joy is to be an outer characteristic too. Paul says in vs:5- "let your gentleness.." that word means forbearance, patient, considerate.. "Let your gentleness be evident to all." Because of our inner joy in Jesus we can then be patient and gentle with others helping them understand what this deep sacred delight is all about. And why would we be that way with others? Well, once again Paul refers to our relationship with Jesus when he says.. your gentleness is evident because "The lord is near." Please understand this principle: Our “rejoicing always” and the demonstration of that joy as a conspicuous characteristic of our life as we are gentle & patient with others, is absolutely independent of circumstances and absolutely dependent on Jesus’ presence in our life. It’s all about counting on Him. The first step in reducing stress is to "Rejoice in the Lord always."
II. TRUST COMPLETELY: vs: 6a
The second step is to trust completely. Vs:6a- "Do not be anxious about anything.." Once again Paul is really stretching us here. He also puts this in the imperative. “Don’t fret over anything big?” Not what he says. “Don’t sweat the little stuff.” Didn’t say that either. “Don’t be anxious over most things?” No.. Don’t be anxious about anything! Easier said than done. Now, don’t misunderstand. Paul is not saying "don’t ever show any concern.” Live an "Evel Kenievel" type of life. I think it’s important that we understand what anxiousness is here. This is the same word Jesus uses in Matthew 6 when He says "don’t worry about food, clothes, prosperity." Worry comes from the word meaning: "To fret over something outside your control." Here’s the difference between legitimate concern and worry (write down.) Concern focuses on probable difficulties and results in action. We’re concerned about our children’s education so we save.. We’re concerned about our health so we go to the Doctor. Or like the man Jesus told about who builds a tower but first is concerned about the total cost of the project. But worry focuses on uncontrollable problems and results in inaction. Worry is: "Assuming responsibility God never intended me to have." Walter Cavert did a multi-year study on our worries and he found this from his research. He found that 40% of our worries never happen. 30% are concerns over the past. 12% are needless worries about our health. 10% are over insignificant or petty issues. And only 8% are over legitimate concerns. In other words, worry is useless. Worry is stewing instead of doing.
And the secret to overcoming worry is that we are to put trust in Christ above anxiousness about things. When my children were little we used to play a game called "Ta-dah." I lay on my back and draw my knees up to my chest, then one of the kids would stretch out and lay across my feet. We’d have a little drum roll and then I would thrust my legs toward the ceiling and they would balance up there. stretching their arms out and shouting.. "Ta-dah!" In fact I am now playing it with my grandchildren. You know why they love it and say "again.. again?" Because they trust me! That I would never let them fall. Is it any wonder Jesus said, "Whoever humbles himself, like a little child will be the greatest in the kingdom." (Mt. 18:4) It’s probably time for some of us to play “ta-dah” with Jesus. To trust Him implicitly. When will we grasp it? The truth that since God made us and saved us, surely He will carry us through this life to the next? It is no coincidence that right in the middle of Jesus’ discourse on worry in Mt 6, He says, "Oh, you of little faith." Because faith is trust and trust is the opposite of worry. Jesus’ stress reduction secret is in Mt. 6:34- "Don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes."(MSG) Here’s principle #2 - Trust means practically living one day at a time. Don’t open your umbrella until it rains. Worry can’t change the past or control the future it only corrupts the present.
III. PRAY CEASELESSLY: Vs:6b
Our 3rd key is to pray ceaselessly - Vs:6b- "In everything, by prayer and petition.. present your requests to God." Have you learned yet that whenever God has you get rid of something that is negative, He gives you something positive to replace it? He’s just said, "Worry about nothing.." Now, He says, "Pray about everything." Replace the negative habit of worry with the positive practice of prayer. In other words, "Don’t panic, pray!" You know, for most of us, if we would stop worrying, we’d have a lot of free time on our hands. Paul says, instead of spending the time worrying replace it with praying.
That means we do exactly what he says here.. "pray about everything." We are to commit everything to prayer. Often we pray only about the big things, weighty decisions- "Should I take that new job.."; "heal me."; "Lord, I’m in trouble.." But Paul doesn’t say "in the big things by prayer make your requests known to God." What does he say? Circle it.. “In everything.." "Lord, help every moment of this day be effective for You."; "Lord, make me more patient as I go into this situation." "Jesus, impress upon me the importance of serving You." ; "God, should we have another child?" "Lord, is it the right time for this new car?" Pray about all things.. no matter the size. And that’s principle #3. Work on developing an attitude of prayer. 1 Thess. 5:17- "..pray continually;" That doesn’t mean talk audibly to Him all the time. It means cultivate an attitude of prayer. Just have him so close that talking to Him is like talking to your best friend.
And that’s borne out when Paul says, "...present your requests to God." Now, that’s not because He needs to know them.. He already knows your inner most heart. But it’s because prayer creates intimacy with God and builds dependency on God. Please understand that God is concerned about every detail in your life. The word "petition" here means "specific request." "God help this nasty habit I have.." "God, make me more positive." I like Phillips translation of this verse. "When you pray, tell God every detail.." Howard Hendricks a Bible College professor, tells of the time they had a guest over for dinner and his 4 year old son prayed at the table. He said, "God, make this food easy to eat and protect the fence in the back yard. Jesus name, Amen." The guest said afterwards, "The food part I understand, but protect the fence?" Hendricks said, "Oh, it makes a lot of sense when you know that the meanest, baddest dog in the whole neighborhood lives on the other side of our fence!” So everyday my 4 year old prays, "Dear Jesus, please protect the fence in the back yard." Do you think Jesus is interested in the fences in your life? He is. 1 Peter 5:7 says, "You can throw the whole weight of your anxieties upon him, for you are his personal concern."(Phillips)
Prayer is a tremendous valve for stress. Please remember: the God who made every fingerprint different, the God who made all things is not too small to take care of every detail of your life. There is no problem too big for God’s power or too small for God’s concern. So go ahead. Pray about everything.
IV. GIVE THANKS CONSTANTLY: Vs:6c
Then fourthly, give thanks constantly. Vs:6c- "In everything.. With thanksgiving, present your requests to God." If you want to reduce stress in your life, then cultivate and attitude of gratitude. The Good News Version translates this verse: "..but always asking him with a grateful heart.." Think about it: there is always something to be grateful for. Even in the worst situations, we can be thankful. "I didn’t get the promotion, but thankfully I have a job." I got into an accident, but thankfully no one was hurt." 1 Thess. 5:18- "..give thanks in all circumstances for this (listen to this) is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." Do you want to know God’s will for your life? Start with what you know.. Give thanks in all circumstances..
Do you think God answers your prayers by just supplying your requests? Oh, it’s easy to be thankful when we ask for that promotion and it comes or when we pray for that good Dr.’s report and he gives it. But what about the times that God answers your prayers a little differently? Not on your time table or in the way you think they should be answered. Are you still thankful? Evan Baxter has been asked by God to do a special task. Joan, his wife, thinks her husband has lost her mind and she doesn’t understand why, if God is really in this, He doesn’t answer the prayer she’s been praying... for her family to be close? She’s frustrated until she meets God as a waiter.
{Two video clips from Evan Almighty - “trust God” and “prayer” = 1:50}
You see, God doesn’t see things the same way we do. So ,here’s principle #4- try to see life from God’s perspective. Go home & make a list of things you take for granted- eyesight, freedom, 2 good legs, family, yes, even struggles. When you are thankful, not only will it please God, but it is a proven fact that it reduces stress.
V. THINK CORRECTLY: Vss:8-9
So, rejoice continually, trust completely, pray ceaselessly, give thanks constantly and fifthly, think correctly. Vs:8-9- "8 Finally, brothers, 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. 9 whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." I think Paul is saying something very important here. He’s saying, "Remember, reducing stress is a choice.” To reduce stress in your life, you must change the way you think. Because the stress, is right here (point to head), not out there. God has given you a gift - to choose what you will think about.
Most of us understand the old adage for computers, "G.I.G.O." Garbage in, garbage out. I used to have a computer guy tell me, “Computers are stupid, they are only as good as the operators.” You type it wrong there’ll be mistakes. You program it wrong, it’s going to come out faulty. And it’s true of our spiritual lives too our 5th principle: Garbage in - garbage out. And honestly folks, when I see some of what Christians are choosing to put into their minds, it is no wonder that they are out of tune spiritually and under stress. And the way you think effects the way you feel and the way you feel effects the way you act. It is a Biblical principle: What I think about is what I am becoming. Rom. 12:2- "Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." (NLT) So, the first step in thinking correctly is to make the great exchange. You exchange the things you fill your mind with now for these things that Paul gives us. What are those things?
First, our thought processes must be on things that are "true & noble." True here is more than just the opposite of false.. it is a characterization of God. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, the life." (John 14:6) We are to be characterized by "truth" thinking, filling our minds with those things that bring our minds to Him. "Noble" carries the connotation of reverence. Ask yourself, "How does the amount I feed my mind on non-Biblical things (movies, TV, books) compare to the amount of the Bible and spiritual things I am putting into my mind?
The next two words describe the behavior that comes from thinking on things true & noble. You become "right," i.e. you become more and more like Him.. your righteousness is demonstrated. "Pure" emphasizes moral purity and describes a person who is shunning even the faintest shades of iniquity. Eph. 5:3- "But among you there should not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity." The last pair is whatever is "lovely" - that describes that which is pleasing and then "admirable" describes that which is attractive or in some verses it is translated "of good report," i.e. reputable. And then Paul kind of wraps this "triple double" up by saying, "if anything is excellent or praiseworthy.." that is what to think about. Prov. 23:7- "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." (KJV) Please understand, the mind, disciplined to dwell on things which have God’s approval, is the surest way of increasing your Christ-likeness and decreasing stress.
And then Paul tells us not only to make the great exchange but to also follow a positive example. "Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice." Paul set a concrete example for Christian living and tells us to mimic it. Circle the words: learned, received, heard and seen. These four words actually form two pairs. Paul is saying, "The things I taught you - my instructions: the things you learned and received; And- the things you observed in me- the things you heard from my lips and seen me do - these are the things you should be doing."
And Paul has given us three ways to correctly feed our minds: (1) Fill them with the instruction of God’s Word. Make sure you attend, at every opportunity, the times when God’s Word is taught - church. Take some time on your own to read. Start with 10 minutes ad day... I promise if you’ll do that for one month you find that 10 minutes is not enough. It becomes a time of nourishment.
(2) Fill your life with men and women who are spiritually faithful. One of the best reasons for getting into a small group is to be with other believers, both men and women who love the Lord and who are worthy of spending time with. Prov. 27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." (NLT)
(3) The 3rd thing is simply said and yet the hardest accomplished.. you take the nourishment that you consistently take in from God’s Word, the examples you see and hear and you "put it into practice." Put it in, watch it happen, act it out.
So there it is. 5 steps for reducing stress. And what is the result? If I (1) Rejoice continually- in the Lord. (2) Trust completely- live one day at a time - replacing anxiousness with confidence in the Lord. (3) Pray ceaselessly-don’t panic pray. (4) Give thanks constantly- cultivate the attitude of gratitude because being thankful is God’s will for you. And (5) Think Correctly - remembering that reducing stress is a choice... then here’s what happens.
The last of vs:9- "And the God of peace will be with you." But even more specifically he says in vs:7- the God of this kind of peace will be with you- "..the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Paul says, you do these things and you will have real joy, genuine peace. Circle the word "guard." That is a military word that means "to post a garrison or sentry" around your heart and mind.
Listen, if you are having problems in your marriage, in your family, in your relationships, in your soul.. It’s not the result of the exterior circumstances as it is that your spiritual life is out of synch. If you hear nothing else tonight hear this: When your spiritual life is out of tune than the rest of your life will be out of harmony. But if you will get your spiritual life in tune with these 5 things- "in the lord"- then your life can be a symphony. "Put these things into practice... and the God of peace will be with you."
Prayer
