Last week we started our series looking at - how much worry is a heavy burden.
It keeps us up at night, steals our joy, and drains our energy.
Our worries are often about things we cannot control.
I spoke on how worry has quite a lot to do with trust issues.
Worry often shows that we do not fully trust God.
We do not treat God as God.
We started to think about handing our worries over to God, and I encouraged you to meditate daily on Philippians 4:6-7, which is our reading today.
This passage from Phil 4 helps us trust more and worry less.
The key to overcoming worry isn't necessarily about changing our circumstances, but about changing our perspective
Paul’s circumstance is that he is in a Roman prison.
His perspective is…. gratitude.
He teaches us that gratitude is not just a reaction to good circumstances but a discipline that
• transforms our perspective,
• lifts our burdens, and
• invites God’s peace into our lives.
Gratitude is an “Antidote to Worry”
Have you ever noticed that when we focus on what we lack (what we don’t have), it's easy to feel overwhelmed by worry?
We start
• comparing ourselves to others,
• dwelling on our shortcomings, and
• magnifying our problems.
But what if we shifted our focus to what we have?
Imagine for a moment taking a deep breath and counting your blessings.
Think of
• the people who love you,
• the roof over your head,
• the food on your table,
• the simple joys that fill your days.
•
Gratitude is a powerful antidote to worry.
When we cultivate an attitude of gratitude, we shift our perspective from scarcity to abundance, from lack to enough.
When we worry, our minds are consumed with what could go wrong.
But Paul tells us to pray with thanksgiving. Why?
Because gratitude reminds us of what God has already done.
When we focus on our problems, they seem bigger than they really are.
But when we focus on God’s faithfulness, we see that He has been providing, guiding, and protecting us all along.
Think about the Israelites in the wilderness—when they focused on their lack, they grumbled –
worrying about their life and future.
But when they remembered God’s provision (manna, water from the rock, the parting of the Red Sea), their faith was strengthened.
Similarly, David, when faced with Goliath, did not focus on the giant’s size but on how God had delivered him from the lion and the bear (1 Samuel 17:37).
His gratitude for past victories gave him confidence to face his present challenge.
Gratitude helps us remember that God has brought us through before, and He will do it again.
When we start our service any Sunday, we spend time declaring the greatness of God, we share what God is DOING NOW in our lives.
We spend time each Sunday REMINDING OURSLVES THAT GOD IS GOD, AND BLESSES US DAY IN AND OUT.
When we develop the habit of thanking God, even in difficult circumstances, we remind ourselves of His faithfulness, which reduces our fear and builds our trust in Him.
Let me show you something:
A small, decorative box or container, and two sets of slips of paper.
Label the box "My Mind."
On one set of slips of paper, write down common worries or anxieties (e.g., "finances," "health," "relationships," "future").
On the other set of slips, write down things to be thankful for (e.g., "family," "friends," "health," "a roof over my head," "God's love").
[holding up the box labelled "My Mind."]
Our minds are like this box – they can hold many thoughts.
Take the slips of paper with worries written on them and begin filling the box with them.
We FILL our minds with worries, right?
• What people think of me,
• will I be able to able to pay this bill,
• will I get to X in time,
• Worries about money, covering bills, future financial stability.
• Will I lose my job, will I be happy.
• Bad news from the doctor.
• family arguments,
• Anxiety about storms, or other natural calamities.
• friendships, social acceptance, what the future holds,
• violence in society, political instability,
• environmental issues.
THESE THINGS and others FILL our minds. [shake box]
What is it like to have your mind crammed with worries? …….
In our last series I talked about this.
And I said that we have to activity and deliberately REMOVE each worry – trusting God to be God.
Worshipping Him and adding the antidote to worry in place of the worry you are actively pushing out.
Take out a worry, and replace with a gratitude.
Gratitude:
• The gift of life itself,
• the wonders of the natural world, and the beauty of creation.
• Good health, healing from illness, and the strength to face challenges.
• The love of others, friends, and community members.
• A safe and comfortable place to live,
• access to food and water, and
• basic necessities.
• Chances to learn, grow, and pursue passions,
• forgiveness of past mistakes and the grace that allows us to start anew.
• The hope we have in Christ.
• The Moments of peace, and joy.
• Strength and ability to overcome challenges and the courage to face fears.
• The wisdom of the bible to help our decision making. 😊
Once the box is filled with gratitude slips, shake it again.
How would it feel to have your mind crammed with gratitude?
– more peaceful and positive.
Just as the box can only hold so much, our minds can only focus on so many things at once.
We have a choice whether to fill our minds with worries or with gratitude.
To work towards that in OUR life, we have to make a conscious effort to practice gratitude daily, to help combat anxiety and experience God's peace.
And the best time to do that is first thing in the morning.
Philippians 4:6-7 talks of swapping worries for gratitude:
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.
Paul connects thanksgiving with the peace of God.
Why?
Because gratitude acknowledges that we are not in control, but God is.
The act of thanking Him, even in uncertainty, is a declaration of trust.
When we focus on our worries, we give them power over our hearts and minds.
Worry often leads to stress, fear, and even physical exhaustion.
But gratitude acts as a gateway to peace because it reminds us that God is sovereign, and He cares for us.
When we deliberately choose to be thankful, we invite God's presence into our situation, and His peace follows.
The peace of God that Paul speaks about is not a peace dependent on circumstances; it is a deep, abiding peace that exceeds all understanding.
It is the kind of peace that allows us to remain calm in the midst of the storm because we know who is in control.
By practicing gratitude, we are actively handing over our burdens to God and replacing them with His peace.
Try beginning your prayers not with your problems but with praise for who God is and what He has already done
When anxious thoughts arise, counter them with a word of thanksgiving and trust in God’s care.
The same God who has been faithful in the past will be faithful in the future.
Paul’s life is a testimony to this—despite persecution, imprisonment, and hardships, he remained thankful and full of peace because he trusted in God’s unfailing love.
Gratitude reminds us that our lives are in God’s hands.
When we recognize that God has a plan and purpose for us, we can rest in His promises rather than worrying about the unknown.
We fill our mind and thank God for what we do have and trust that He will provide for what we need in the future.
Conclusion & Challenge:
Worry may be a natural response to life’s challenges,
but thanksgiving is a supernatural response that changes everything.
As you face this week, challenge yourself to replace worry with gratitude.
When anxiety creeps in, stop and thank God for something.
As you do, you will experience the peace that rises above all understanding, guarding your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
VIDEO SONG:
Prayer:
“Lord, we surrender our worries to You. Teach us to be grateful in all circumstances. Help us to trust You more and experience Your peace. Thank You for all You have done, all You are doing, and all You will do. Amen.”
