When Anxiety Strikes Series

When Anxiety Strikes

Philippians 4:4-9 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Anxiety interferes with sleep, disrupts concentration, & hinders productivity. The children of God don’t have to allow this destructive emotion to control their lives. Even when believers live through painful circumstances. They can experience peace beyond human comprehension.

1.What is the nature of anxiety?

A.This emotion can be defined as an overwhelming sense of tension. That is it fragments our thoughts & divides our minds.

B.The Bible teaches us how to avoid letting worry take over our lives.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and

supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to

God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus " Phil. 4:6-7

C.Why is it so important that we learn to deal with anxiety?

Worry disrupts our thoughts. So we can’t think clearly or make wise decisions.

Our productivity decreases because fretfulness wastes time & energy.

Relationships with our spouses, families, coworkers, & friends suffer.

Anxiety contributes to a host of health problems.

It indicates a lack of trust in God. Then hampers our relationship with Him Matthew 6:31-34 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

2.How can you and I overcome anxiety?

A.By praying right:

Christians should pray in all circumstances & situations

Again in Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Instead of focusing exclusively on a list of requests. We should seek to adore & worship the Lord. God already knows our needs.

He has the power to supply them.

Believers ought to pray specifically. Think about James 4:2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Especially when intercedingfor others.

Christians should cry out to the Lord in supplication Again we still have Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

This word indicates a passionate outpouring of the heart Psalms 34:17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. Hebrews 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

Is in contrast to mere lip service Isaiah 29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: As God’s children, we can trust that He will answer our fervent prayers.

We should make our requests "with thanksgiving" Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Hey it may be a good idea to learn this verse. I think God is telling us something here.

When God doesn’t answer our prayers immediately or when He says no. We should continue to be grateful for what we already have.

B.By thinking right:

Our thoughts directly affect how anxious we feel. Christians are to dwell on "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is

right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good

report… [and] anything worthy of praise" Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.