Phil 4:4 – 7. Talking to God
You might remember the song by Bobby Mcferrin ‘Don’t worry, be happy!’
We find that most people worry unnecessary Statistics show that; 40% worry over things that don’t happen; 30% of people worry over the past that can’t be changed. 12% worry about untrue criticism 10% of people worry about health issues which gets worse with worry only 8% worry about real problems.
1) The problem paralysing anxiety. V6 do not be anxious about anything
The 21st century has seen arise in anxiety (stress) But it is not a new phenomenon it has always been around. Paul knew what it was to be anxious
Phil.2: 28.
Anxiety is often a result of our lifestyle or the circumstances, which hit us in life. We live in a fast moving world where people are continually at work 24/7. Where we expect everything in an instant from instant coffee to instant food.
Anxiety effects us all, it is something, no human being can avoid, even Christians have to experience it. It is an unpleasant emotion, which can be caused by external/internal events or conflicts around us.
We find anxiety in everything we do such as raising a family, personal illness, a sudden accident, an argument, a divorce, a bereavement, financial debt, relationships, conflicts, future events even Church life itself Phil.4:2
Matt.6: 25.Do not worry about your life. Money, life, food, clothing or the body
George Muller said “The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety
Prv.12: 25 An anxious heart weighs a man down.
Symptoms of anxiety in related illnesses such as headaches, lethargy, mood swings, mental problems, ulcers, and high blood pressure, nervous break downs, heart attacks and sometimes even, death itself!
Where do we turn?
People turn to all kinds of things to combat anxiety (stress) in their lives, from shrinks to gurus from meditation to medication from therapies to treatments.
But how is the Christian to deal with anxiety in their life?
2) The prescription is the presence of the Lord. V 5 the Lord is near!
This could mean in light of his imminent return.
I prefer what others say that the Lord is near is referring to the Lord nearness to a believer and the security this brings to them as the Holy Spirit is present through all circumstances.
Psalm 31:20 In the shelter of your presence you hide them.
Psalm.119: 151 Yet you are near O Lord.
The LORD said to Joshau.1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Paul reveals this to us in Phil:1v19 the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ
Under Stalin, 30 Russian peasants were arrested and counted ‘you’ve missed one! Often we can forget the Lord’s presence with us Rom:8: 9,15,16. Gal4: 6
Luke.10.38-42. Mary and Martha.
Jesus said; Matt 28.20 I am with you always to the very end of an age.
The Holy Spirit presence: Jhn14.7The counselor who will be with you forever.
3) The Prescription (the power of personal prayer)
Paul is revealing to us that prayer is the answer to our anxieties we might be facing right now. Jesus said come to me all you who are….
Prayer is a powerful antidote to (stress) in 1982 at a medical conference in London professor Herbert Benson startled scholars by saying that prayer was a powerful antidote for stress: lowering blood pressures heading off heart attacks, stops hammering headaches and even suppresses the pain of cancer.
To be praying people
The prescription here for the believer is putting prayer into action giving everything to God. V6 we see the sharp contrast between not being anxious about anything but in everything by prayer. “Prayer doesn’t change Gods mind it changes us”
Paul was insistent that prayer was the key to combat their anxieties rather than using prayer as a last resort we must use it as a first priority in everything!
Ills: To act on the principle of turning prayers over to God leave them with God!
1Peter 5:7 cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Hudson Taylor said “Let us give up our work, our plans, ourselves, our lives, our loved ones, our influence, our all, right into Gods hand; and then, when we have given all over to him, there will be nothing left for us to be troubled about.”
A Christian recently said to me when I was struggling with sleep,‘When you cannot sleep don’t count sheep but talk to the shepherd.’
To be petitioning people v6
There is a triplet of terms to describe our conversation with God the general term is prosseuchomai adoration and worship euchariseto thanksgiving.
But the meaning here is Petitioning prayer Phil4: 6. deessis, synonyms like entreaty request supplication. This prayer isn’t a vain repetition but that of bold declaration of every need of their lives to be brought to God.
Its like collecting a petition of signatures to bring to a higher authority
To pray with confidence Heb4.16 approach the throne of grace with confidence!
When we pray we are to petition God we are called to ask, to seek and to knock to be specific and declare before the throne of Grace or petition this is what God calls us to do! 1Jhn5: 14,15 when our petitions are in line with Gods will they will be answered!
Eph.3.16 petitioning prayer for others
18 year old Hudson Taylor got saved in his father’s library from reading a gospel leaflet behind exactly at that point is mother was deep in prayer petitioning the throne of GRACE FOR HER son when she returned home that day and hudson had the wonderful news.. She already new ithad been sealed to her by God, it was’nt the trqact that saved him but his mother’s afternoon of prayer.
To pray in all circumstances. V6
Phil1: 4 In all my prayers (his petitions for them) whilst under house arrest v12 v4 he could pray with joy. Acts 16: 23-25 flogged and imprisoned prayer and praise! Phil 1:19 and through their prayers (petitions) He calls us to 1Thes 5:17 pray continually. Giving thanks in all circumstances .Eph 6:18. Pray on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
To be presenting your requests V6
We may neglect prayer because we think that God is uninterested.
Albert Einstein fled to America 1930s he lived in a two-story house near Prince town University. He entertained some of the most prominent scientific and political personalities of his day. He had another frequent visitor a little 10 year old girl Emmy.
3) The Provision is the (Peace of God)
V7.The Peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus
No Peace in the world
The Society of International law in London states this incredible statistic: since the beginning of recorded history, the entire world has been at peace less than 8% of the time. Over the last 4000 years of history, only 268 years saw peace.
Moreover in excess of 8000 peace treatises have been made and broken.In the last 3 centuries there has been 286 wars on the continent of Europe alone!
No Peace in the home.
My Big brother always getting me stressed out! Eventually the barriers would come down and we would begin to talk again. And their would be peace!
In the same way Jesus has restored our relationship with God and brought peace. So the most normal thing for us is to talk to God.
The Prince of peace brings Rom.5.1. Peace with God
Col 1:20.Reconciliation by making peace through his blood shed on the cross.
When we have come to God through his son we have peace with God no matter what the situations we face. (Romans 8:38-39)
We can never avoid the problems of life but with God with us, we can know perfect peace even in turmoil.
Isaiah 26:3.You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
Our trust must be in the prince of peace who said.
Jhn14.27 Peace I leave with you: my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.
Somebody once said Peace that Jesus gives is not the absence of trouble, but is rather the confidence that he is there with you always
The Peace of heart and mind
The Physiologist says to empty your minds and hearts to deal with anxiety, to get rid of the past and negative thoughts. The Buddha teaches to purify the mind by doing good and evil is not real. The positive thinkers tell us to think positive thoughts.
But true peace is not found in emptying our minds, or the absence of conflict or good feelings about ones self. It comes from knowing that God is in control
Det 33:27 The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms. The God of peace
Our citizenship is in heaven (Phil 3:20) Christ’s Kingdom, our destiny is set and we can have the victory over sin.
Are you letting the peace of God guard your heart and mind against anxiety?
I rest beneath the Almighty’s shade,
My griefs expire, my troubles cease;
Thou, Lord, on whom my soul is stayed,
Will keep me still in perfect peace. By Charles Wesley
As British telecom say ’Its good to talk.Friends get connected to someone who listens and acts, talk to God daily, he’s never engaged.
