Opening: An old pastor was dying. He told his wife to ask James and Oscar to come. "You mean, James, the deacon and Oscar, the lawyer?" his wife wondered. Her husband nodded. And she continued, "Didn't they cause so much stress in your ministry?" But the pastor insisted, "Please, ask them to come." So, the wife called James and Oscar, and they came. When the pastor saw them, he said, "James, please stand on my right and Oscar on my left." They did it, but they were wondering what was going on. And this is what the pastor said to them, "You may wonder why I call you and ask you to stand next to me at the end of my life, right?" James and Oscar nodded. "Because I want to be like Jesus," said the pastor. "What do you mean, pastor?" James asked. The pastor answered, "He died surrounded by two criminals!"
In 1989, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," a business and self-help book written by Stephen R. Covey, was published. The book has sold more than 40 million copies worldwide since its first publication, and I read the book when I was still in Indonesia. Here are the seven habits that Covey wrote: Habit 1: "Be proactive." Habit 2: "Begin with the end in mind."
Habit 3: "Put first things first." Habit 4: "Think win–win." Habit 5: "Seek first to understand, then to be understood." Habit 6: "Synergize." Habit 7: "Sharpen the saw."
Today as we close our sermon series on stress, I will share with you "The 7 Habits of Highly Stress-Free People" based on Philippians 4:4-9. We have learned about seven stressors: 1) Work (Overwork) 2) Guilt 3) Unrealistic Expectation 4) Fear of the difficult situation and the future 5) Disbelief 6) Making an important decision 7) Wrong perceptions and responses. When we are stressed, we need to find out the stressors, avoid them, make necessary changes to our activities, load, perception, or expectations. Now let us learn and practice these seven habits in our lives. I believe we can prevent ourselves from having prolonged distress, worry, and anxiety by doing them. Instead, we can find peace even amidst challenges in our lives. Let's read Phil 4:4-9.
1. Daily Joy. V. 4 - "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" To rejoice is a choice we make. Paul was in prison when he wrote the letter to the Philippians. In that situation, he chose to rejoice in the Lord. We know it because, at least, in verse 10, he said, "I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me." Paul knew that joy was a choice. It does not depend on the situation. So, we do not need to wait until our situation gets better, we are healed from sickness, our problems are solved, or God answers our prayers to rejoice. Amid difficulties, we can choose to rejoice in the Lord. Let's choose to rejoice in the Lord every day. Even when we are feeling depressed, anxious, or bothered by some annoyance, we can exercise our ability to rejoice.
Charles Spurgeon on Joy: "There is a marvelous medicinal power in joy. Most medicines are distasteful; but this, which is the best of all medicines, is sweet to the taste, and comforting to the heart. This blessed joy is very contagious. One dolorous spirit brings a kind of plague into the house; one person who is wretched seems to stop all the birds from singing wherever he goes . . . [But] the grace of joy is contagious. Holy joy will oil the wheels of your life's machinery. Holy joy will strengthen you for your daily labor. Holy joy will beautify you and give you an influence over the lives of others." Proverbs 17:22 says, "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."
2. Daily Patience. V. 5 - "Let your gentleness be evident to all." The word "gentleness" in Greek is "epieikés," which also means "forbearing." That is what Geneva Bible Version writes, "Let your patient mind be known unto all men." Sometimes things do not go our way; people annoy us, problems keep coming into our lives. But instead of getting upset or angry at the situation, apostle Paul encourages us to let people know and recognize our unselfishness, self-control, or forbearing spirit. Therefore, we become an example to others in our teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, steadfastness, persecutions, sufferings, and how the Lord delivers us from every problem. We can communicate in verbal and non-verbal ways that our God is more significant than any problem.
3. Daily Trust. V. 6a - "Do not be anxious about anything." Last Sunday, we learned that our disbelief causes doubt, worry, confusion, and uncertainty when we face problems and challenges in our lives. And that can become a huge stressor. Let us learn to follow the faith and the truth in the words of the famous hymn writer who sang, "Simply trusting everyday. Trusting in the homeward way. Even when my faith is small. Trusting Jesus that is all. Trusting as the moments fly. Trusting as the days go by. Trusting Him whatever befalls. Trusting Jesus that is all." Isa. 26:3-4 says, "He will keep Him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on the Lord because He trusts in Him. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal." Dwight L. Moody's favorite verse was Isaiah 12:2 - "Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation." He used to say: "You can travel first class or second class to heaven. Second class is, 'What time I am afraid, I will trust.' First class is, 'I will trust, and not be afraid.' "That is the better way. Why not buy a first-class ticket? Illustration: A man was once being conducted by a guide over a dangerous Alpine trail. Finally, they came to a place where a great rock stuck out over the cliff, leaving only the fragment of a pathway. The guide laid hold on the rock with one hand and put his other hand down on what was left of the trail, the hand extending out over the abyss. He told the other man to step on his hand and forearm and thus pass around the rock safely. The man hesitated and was afraid, but the guide said, "Do not fear to stand on my hand. That hand has never yet lost a man!" Remember, the pierced hand of Christ has never yet lost a man who took that hand and put his trust in him. So, why should we be anxious, worried, and stressed?
4. Daily Prayer. V. 6b - "in every situation, by prayer and petition." Prayer in the morning programs our thinking, attitudes, spirit, and actions to call on the Lord for everything. Whenever we feel worried, bothered, fearful, or do not know what to do, we can ask the Lord to fill us with His peace and spiritual wisdom. We can ask God to help us excel in love, faith, hope, and wisdom through every encounter.
The result of having daily joy, patience, trust, and prayer is having the peace of God. Verse 7 says, "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Two more things that Paul encourages us to do so that "the God of peace will be with us" (V. 9b) are:
5. Daily Thanksgiving. V. 6c – "in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving …" Paul always found reasons to be thankful. Therefore, he could remain strong and faithful in facing difficult times. He wants us to "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thess 5:18). Can you guess who said this: "So much has been given to me that I have no time to ponder that which I don't have"? It was the writing of Helen Keller, who lost her sight and hearing after a bout of illness at the age of nineteen months. How about this: "Giving thanks is not a matter of feeling thankful, it is a matter of obedience"? It is Joni Erickson Tada's statement; she has quadriplegia. Encourage yourself in the Lord by recounting all the good things you have been given through Christ: His strength, His wisdom, His identity, His love, His purposes, His power, His truth, His ability to overcome temptations, His perspectives, His peace, His patience, His kindness, His gentleness, His faithfulness, and His plans for your life. Take time to contemplate the many ways that the Lord calms the stormy seas in your heart, mind, and relationships. Thank God specifically for how He enables you to be an island of calm amidst the pressures of life's problems.
6. Daily Meditation. V. 8 – "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." Take time to read, study, memorize, and contemplate God's words. Those lists of beautiful things are in the Bible. When our minds and hearts are full of the words and promises of God, we can live peacefully and free from distress. Without a consistent habit of scriptural meditation, we do not have the capacity in ourselves to live by the power of the Holy Spirit.
7. Daily Applications. V. 9 - "Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me—put it into practice." Every time we learn biblical teachings and principles, let's apply them in our lives. The Bible tells us not only to be the hearers but also the doers of God's words: "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." (James 1:22).
Closing: With God's help, when we develop those seven habits, we will, for sure, can reduce our stress. More than that, our hearts are full of peace, joy, and the love of God. V.9 b states, "And the God of peace will be with you."
