Series: Action [#200]
HOW TO ENJOY LIFE- RELIEF FROM STRESS
Philippians 4:1-9
Introduction:
In April 1863, in Columbus, Mississippi; after decorating the graves of her 2 sons who served during the Civil War as Confederate soldiers, an elderly woman also decorated 2 graves at the corner of the cemetery. A person watching asked, "What are you doing? Those are the graves of 2 Union soldiers." She replied, "I know. I also know that somewhere in the North, a mother or a young wife mourns for them as we do for ours." That little group of women started what became known as Decoration Day; and later was renamed Memorial Day. Memorial Day is set aside each year to remember those who gave their lives in the armed forces. We remember those who died on the battle fields to bring freedom to others. We commemorate their actions by honoring them in ceremonies across the land.
Whether in AD 60 when Paul wrote this letter, or in 1863 when this mother decorated her sons’ graves, or in 2024; we all deal with stress. The stress that Paul and the Philippian Christians faced, the stress that family members of the fallen face, and the stress that each person here today faces is enough to destroy the strongest of people. Because of this stress, most people don’t enjoy life, they just endure it. Stress, anxiety, and pressure rule most people’s lives and rob their joy from them. What do we need to do to lessen and alleviate stress in our lives?
Philippians 4:1-3
In order to lessen the stress in your life…
1. Stand firm in the Lord.
Euodia and Syntyche were 2 women in the Church that had a disagreement. Paul was telling the other believers to help solve the problem; but not to try in their own power. He told them to be of the same mind in the Lord. Paul cared about these women. They were there when he needed someone.
In order to deal with the stresses of relationships and situations that arise during each day, you must stand firm in the Lord. This reminds me of putting on the full armor of God; and once you have put on the full armor of God, we are told to stand firm. Don’t give in to the world. Don’t take the easy way out- Stand firm.
Philippians 4:4
In order to lessen the stress in your life…
2. Rejoice in the Lord always.
It is hard to be stressed when you are laughing. It is hard to be stressed when you are rejoicing in all that God has done. Christians, do you have anything to rejoice about? If you don’t, then either you are not saved; or you have allowed the devil to hold you back. Rejoice in the Lord at all times.
Philippians 4:5
In order to lessen the stress in your life…
3. Be gentle to all.
As soon as I said the word gentle, some of you thought the wrong thing. The word gentle is defined as having or showing a mild, kind, or tender character. Christians, you are to have a gentle attitude. Don’t be hard to get along with; and when you disagree with people, stay calm.
Philippians 4:6
In order to lessen the stress in your life…
4. Don’t worry about anything.
Worry will kill your joy and is a source of stress. We tend to expect the worst in life. Worry is assuming responsibility that God never intended for me to have. Do you know how to worry? It is thinking about something over and over again. It is playing God, trying to control the uncontrollable.
A study was done on worrying:
* 40% of our worries never happen.
* 30% of our worries concern the past.
* 12% of our worries are needless worries about your health.
* 10% of our worries are insignificant or petty concerns.
* 8% of our worries are really legitimate concerns.
It cannot change the past or control the future. It only messes you up right now. It is an incredible waste of energy. When we worry about things, they get bigger and bigger.
Philippians 4:6
In order to lessen the stress in your life…
5. Pray about everything.
Paul is saying, “Instead of panicking, pray”. If it's big enough to worry about, it's big enough to pray about. Christians, through Jesus Christ, you can go to God in prayer. When God the Father sees you, He sees the blood of Jesus and sees you as justified- Just if I’d never sinned.
That is why you can go to the throne of God anytime with anything you want to tell Him.
Philippians 4:6
In order to lessen the stress in your life…
6. Thank God for all things.
No matter how bad it is, there is something to be thankful for. When we start looking for those things that we are thankful for, then we get our minds off all our problems. Right now, what are you thankful for? Each of us have many things to be thankful for.
Philippians 4:8-9
In order to lessen the stress in your life…
7. Think about the right things.
In verse 8, Paul tells us what to think about.
We are to think about whatever is…
* True.
* Noble.
* Right.
* Pure.
* Lovely.
* Admirable.
* Excellent.
* Praiseworthy.
We must guard our minds. Be careful what we allow to go into our minds and don’t just sit around dwelling on things that are opposite of the list above. Whatever you think about is what you will become.
Conclusion:
Philippians 4:7
Verse 7 is the result of not worrying- Peace. If you want to experience the peace of God in your life, then you are going to have to stop worrying about things.
