Worry and Anxiety
Mike Jeffery
Philippians 4:4-7
Introduction
My last reflection centred on Psalm 139 and concentrated on Worry and Anxiety and how it can eat away at us and cause us to forget the blessings that God bestows on us.
As you can see the same title has been applied to my latest reflection and I would like to start with the following verses which have been ever present since the start of the crisis
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but 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” (Philippians 4:4-7).
We spend a lot of time thinking. planning. wondering. And whatever you are thinking about, you will inevitably begin thinking of what might happen and what might go wrong. Most of those things you think about you cannot do anything about… so instead, what do you do – you worry.
Verses 4 and 5 taken out of context appear at first sight to have nothing to do with worry and anxiety. They are commands in their own right. It reminds us that joy is not just a feeling, it’s a choice and an action.
Taken in context though the same verses are a precursor to Verse 6 and is wonderful to the ear and mind of the worrier.
Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord always.” – that means in good times and in trials. God is always good. So, rejoice in Him. Think about Him.
Jesus has called you, has committed Himself to you, and He is good. He is faithful and worthy of our trust (and is near).
The Peace that Transcends Understanding
“Do not be anxious about anything…” (Philippians 4:6).
Of all of God’s many commands in the Bible, this is one of the hardest. Anxiety is defined as a feeling of worry or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. Most people are familiar with that.
God’s Word says, “Do not be anxious about anything.” I think sometimes we worry because we feel like we just must do something. I can’t fix it but at least I can worry. So, God gives us something else to do – pray.
“…in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).
In every situation. ‘In every situation’ means no matter what the situation: good, bad, impossible, in every situation.
By prayer. That means talk to God.
And petition. That means to ask God. Tell him what you need.
With thanksgiving. That means to thank God. Genuine gratitude. Remember all He has done. Remember He is good. Ecclesiastes says:
“When times are good be happy. But when times are bad, consider, God has given the one as well as the other” (Ecclesiastes 7:14).
And finally, present your requests to God. Notice there are no demands here – just requests. When you give it to God, trust Him, and let Him handle it His way.
Ask God. Thank God. Trust God.
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).
This means God’s peace stands guard and we don’t have to understand it – just accept it and keep the worry and anxiety out. All we have to do is trust him
When the peace of Christ rules over your heart and over your mind, you can have that peace without all the answers. A peace that transcends all understanding.
Pray, Trust – know his peace. This assists with our worry and anxiety
You Are What You Think About
Rather than worry God gives us something better to do with our thoughts.
“…brothers and sisters, 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.” (Philippians 4:8).
For your mind, you are what you think about. How do you keep your mind healthy? Feed it good things to think about. We need to think carefully and not let our minds consume the easy things -junk TV, junk social media, and junk worries and concerns.
2 Corinthians 10 reminds us that:
“…we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).
When you find yourself thinking about junk, remind yourself – who is the boss now – Jesus.
If Jesus is your King, then His rule extends to your thoughts. Remind your thoughts to obey Christ. And fix your thoughts on this list here in Philippians 4.
First whatever is true. Lies and partial truths will always try to confuse your thoughts. Fill your mind with truth. God’s word is true. Jesus is true. Jesus’ love for you is true.
And then, whatever is noble. Think about what is worthy of honour, what you can respect.
Whatever is right. That means virtuous in character, equitable and innocent.
Whatever is pure. Think about what is clean.
Whatever is lovely. That word literally means towards love – as in – think about what moves your heart towards love.
Whatever is admirable. That means what is well-spoken, things you admire when you hear it. Dwell on that.
If anything is excellent or praiseworthy. That means moral excellence – things that are just done right, done God’s way. And when you see it, it is worthy of praise.
Never forget that God loves you unconditionally.
Hebrews 12:2 tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer, and perfector of faith. Jesus started our faith story, and He will finish it. And that is something noble – and right – and pure. It is lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy.
Anxiety and worry are part of this junk – concentrate on the admirable, excellent and praiseworthy things – the worry and anxiety fade away.
That was the thinking now the doing
This section – Verses 4-9 is entitled Final Exhortations. We must not forget that this piece of scripture as are many others in the New Testament – part of a letter to the early Christian Churches. This is no exception and is an example of Paul’s advice to the church at Philippi.
“The things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things” Verse 9
Do – first think and then put into practice. Paul acknowledges that the Philippian Christians have learned from his ministry with them—and are trying to follow his lead. He wants them to continue “doing”
Paul neatly concludes this section
“and the God of peace will be with you” (v. 9). Paul also uses this phrase, “God of peace,” in Romans 15:33; 16:20; 1 Corinthians 14:33; and 1 Thessalonians 5:23.
This is the promise—the reward for faithful discipleship. The God of peace will be present with them. Implied in these words, “God of peace” is the promise that God will bring peace to them—peace in their relationships with each other, and peace within their own hearts.
Conclusion is that although worry and anxiety are an inevitable part of daily life you can nullify the negative effects by handing over control to God – after all the Sermon on the Mount – Matthew 6 25-34 exalts us “Do not worry”
Benediction 1
The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
The Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace. AMEN
Benediction 2
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise him all creatures here below
Praise him above ye Heavenly Host
Praise Father , Son and Holy Ghost
Lyrics
At the Cross
Alas! and did my Saviour bleed
And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
For such a worm as I?
At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light
And the burden of my heart rolled away
It was there by faith I received my sight
And now I am happy all the day
Thy body slain, sweet Jesus, Thine
And bathed in its own blood
While the firm mark of wrath divine
His soul in anguish stood
Was it for crimes that I had done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!
Well might the sun in darkness hide
And shut his glories in
When Christ, the mighty Maker died
For man the creature’s sin
Thus might I hide my blushing face
While His dear cross appears
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness
And melt my eyes to tears
But drops of grief can ne’er repay
The debt of love I owe
Here, Lord, I give myself away
‘Tis all that I can do
Burdens are lifted at Calvary
Days are filled with sorrow
Days are filled with sorrow and care
Hearts are lonely and drear
Burdens are lifted at Calvary
Jesus is very near
Burdens are lifted at Calvary
Calvary, Calvary
Burdens are lifted at Calvary
Jesus is very near
Troubled soul, the Savior can see
Every heartache and tear
Burdens are lifted at Calvary
Jesus is very near
Burdens are lifted at Calvary
Calvary, Calvary
Burdens are lifted at Calvary
Jesus is very near
Burdens are lifted at Calvary
Calvary, Calvary
Burdens are lifted at Calvary
Jesus is very near
Jesus is very near
1 thought on “Worry and Anxiety Part 2”
Thank you Mike. As a ‘worrier’ I will mark the readings for reflection.