In the past two weeks, we have learned about anxiety from the perspective of the Bible and therapists, various types of anxiety, its symptoms, and the factors that cause it. As said before, anxiety caused by chemicals in the brain or hormone problems (clinical anxiety) needs to get treatment from doctors. But many anxieties are caused by nonclinical factors. Today we will conclude this sermon series on "anxiety" with how to enjoy anxiety-free life biblically.
Anxiety is a thief; it steals our thoughts, peace, joy, and confidence in the Lord. In Greek, anxiety means dividing, separating, cutting into pieces, and tearing apart the mind. That is what anxiety does to you, and me, and it divides your mind between constructive and destructive thoughts and takes your mind in two different directions.
Illustration: A wife had anxious thoughts that dominated her mind day in and day out for years. One night, her husband heard a noise in the house, so he went downstairs to investigate. When he got there, he found a burglar. The husband said, "Hey, could you come upstairs and meet my wife? She has been waiting ten years to meet you." Of course, it's just humor. But remember, a thief will steal from you once, but anxiety can steal from you for decades.
Sadly, today many Americans suffer from anxiety. Recently, a world mental health survey on anxiety in 14 countries found that Americans were the most anxious people in all of the 14 countries studied. We have more clinically significant anxiety levels than those in Nigeria, Lebanon, and Ukraine. In the last three decades, anxiety disorders have jumped 1200%.
In his book 'Anxiety Free,' Dr. Robert Leahy, ' one psychologist, says, "The average American teenager today exhibits the same level of anxiety as the average psychiatric patient did in the 1950s." So that gives you some feel for where we are on the anxiety level, and that's our country. So, what are Americans so worried about?
According to the Gallup organization, these are the top five:
#1 – Personal Income (Financial)
#2 – The Social Security System (Future)
#3 – Possible Terrorist Attacks (Safety)
#4 – Health Care Availability in the future (Health)
#5 – Race relations (Relationship)
Bible Advice To Live An Anxiety-Free Life (Learn from Jesus, Peter, and Paul)
We thank God because the Bible does not only talk about heaven but also addresses anxiety. For example, two weeks ago, we learned how Jesus taught us not to worry or be anxious in Matthew 6:25-34. He reminds us that we are God's most precious creations. More than that, we are His children. Our heavenly Father loves us and will surely take good care of us. What we need to do is to seek first His Kingdom and its righteousness.
Apostle Peter, one of the disciples who was freaking out in the storm – full of anxiety – waking Jesus up and saying, "Don't you care that we are going to die…" wrote to believers who he says in chapter 1 were scattered. They were Christians who had to leave their family and hometown because of persecution. Many had to leave their friends, lost their jobs, and had their possessions seized because of their faith. That was the situation of Christians who were receiving this teaching on anxiety. Their circumstances would seem to create a lot of stress, fear, and anxiety in their lives. But this is what Peter told them to do in 1 Peter 5:5b-7 – "All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." Peter knew they had a lot of reasons for anxiety. That is why he told them to cast all their anxiety on God. But before telling that, Peter told them first to humble themselves under God. Hudson Taylor, missionary to China and founder of what is today known as the Overseas Missionary Fellowship, gave this excellent advice: "Let us give up our work, our plans, ourselves, our lives, our loved ones, our influence, our all, right into [God's] hand; and then, when we have given all over to Him, there will be nothing left for us to be troubled about."
People who think they are experienced, intelligent, strong, and capable tend to rely on their ability and try to handle their situation with their strength. They are too proud to cast their anxieties on God, so they often suffer from anxiety and fear. According to the apostle Peter, the first step to bringing our anxiety to God is to humble ourselves before Him and acknowledge our need for His help.
The following verse is powerful. Peter reminded Christians what would happen when they did not cast their anxieties to God: the devil would prowl them! In verse 8, Peter told them: "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." Very interesting for us to pay attention to. The 8th verse about the dangers of Satan's attack is related to the 7th verse about the importance of surrendering our worries to God. People whose lives are filled with fears and anxieties are vulnerable to Satan's attacks. Why? Because worry and anxiety show that the person has not fully trusted God's love and power and has not fully surrendered his life to God. So when the devil attacks, the person concerned is not ready.
After they cast out their anxieties on God, Peter said they must resist the devil: "Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings" (v. 9). Believers need not fear Satan. We are told to fight him with firm faith when he comes to disturb us. Here we see the importance of having steadfast faith. Anxious Christians are easy for Satan to prey on, but those whose faith is strong can resist Satan!
And now, let us see the apostle Paul's advice on overcoming our anxiety in our lives. From a prison cell, he wrote to the Philippians: "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, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, 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. 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. – Philippians 4:4-9. There are four keys that the apostle Paul gives in this passage to have anxiety-free life:
1) Rejoice in the Lord always
God wants us to rejoice in the Lord and to rejoice in Him always (v. 4). Remember, Jesus, Peter and Paul repeatedly say, "do not be anxious!" or "do not worry" (someone counted 19 times in 17 verses in the NT). So, when we are gloomy, become sensitive, critical, negative, and always complain, we need to examine ourselves like we did last week because something must be wrong. The Bible tells us that joy is one of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22). So, so when we lose joy, we should wonder if the Spirit no longer leads our lives! It is God's will that we always rejoice in Him and not be anxious about anything!
2) Come to God and ask for His help
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (v. 6). Sometimes difficult situation causes us to be anxious. When that happens, come to God:
- Ask for His help.
- Give thanks for what He has done and for He is.
- Present your request to Him and Worship Him.
When we do that, God will replace our anxiety with His peace which transcends all understanding to fill our hearts (v. 7). So, when you worry, worship God! When you are burdened, bow before Him! When the anxiety seems so heavy, leave your anxiety with Him! Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you! Remember, ask God for help not as a last resort but as a first response to anxiety. Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you!
3) Meditate On God's Word
"Finally, 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." (v. 8). Instead of meditating on the problems that make us anxious, we meditate on those things that come from the Bible, the word of God. The more we put the words of God into our hearts and believe them, the less worry and anxiety we have in our lives. The Bible gives us the proper understanding and perspective of God, us, and the meaning of our problems or difficulties. For example, Rom 8:28 – "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Psalm 121:1,2 – "I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." Isaiah 41:10 – "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Rom 8:18 – "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
4) Put Into Practice God's Words
"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." (v. 9). Paul suffered so much in serving the Lord, and he was in prison when he wrote the letter to the Philippians. But he showed peace and joy in life because he has surrendered his whole life to God and always walked with Him. He wants us to follow his example and practice what he has taught us in his New Testament Epistles. So that we, too, may experience a victorious life in Christ as he did.
Closing
That is the key to finding God's peace so that you and I can have it too. By doing the teachings of Jesus, Peter, and Paul above, God will set us free from the bondage of worry, anxiety, and fear. As a result, we can live joyfully and enjoy the peace of God in our lives! Hallelujah!
