Above Anxiety (Part 3)

Introduction

Attention/Need:

Have a glass that is half full of soda

Ask: Is the glass half empty, or half full?

Answer depends on perspective

Perspective = the way that you see things

“Are you anxious?”

Sometimes, answer depends upon perspective

When anxious, need change perspective

Philippians 4:8-13

Body

The Big Idea: Changing your perspective brings peace.

The Big Question: What changes in perspective bring peace?

1. From negativity to positivity

2. From apathetical to applicational

3. From discontentment to contentment

Philippians 4:8 (ESV)

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Explanation:

About positive thinking

Problems start with faulty thinking

Anxiety = how brain deals with danger

Cortisol

A hormone

Makes heart rate rise

Injects glucose

Heightens senses

Prevents you from playing with poisonous snake.

God doesn’t want these to surf through brain constantly

Negative thinking = chemicals flow freely

Easy to be negative

Life is hard

Others are negative

“How can I stop being negative?”

“How change perspective?”

Paul to Philippi: “Stop negative thought patterns.”

Change how thinking about stuff

Need: mind renewal

Reject negative, redirect towards the positive

Focus on virtues (use a filter)

Ask: What are the virtues?

True

Not lies

Jumping to worst case scenerio

Gossip

“Fill your mind with God’s truth and you won’t have room for all of the lies.”

Honorable

“Noble” or “worthy of respect.”

Cynicism = downward spiral

Respectful to yourselves and others

Just and pure

Moral purity

“If you wouldn’t want someone to read it, you don’t want your mind to think it.”

Lovely and Commendable

Fun stuff

“Here is a simple exercise. Whenever you feel anxiety attack, start to think of things that make you happy.”

Change your life? Change your thinking.

Application:

Thought life?

Negative?

Sinful stuff?

Reject and redirect

Transition: Not only does the way we think need to change, but we need to change the stuff we do as well.

The Big Idea: Changing your perspective brings peace.

The Question: What changes in perspective bring peace?

1. From negativity to positivity

2. From apathetical to applicational

3. From discontentment to contentment

Philippians 4:9 (ESV)

9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Explanation:

Paul’s concern; not doctrine, but discipline (think James)

Living out the faith with passion

Emotions come and go

Follow-through

Unresolved anxiety > apathy

Apathy: absence or suppression of passion, emotion, or excitement. (dictionary.com)

Apathy = perspective of faith

Anxiety = hard to be passionate

But passion is possible

Ask: According to this passage, how do you get there?

The way you get there = Imitation

Following godly examples in your life

Applying your faith

Paul = example

You? Fill in the blank.

Applying your faith; re focusing, getting mind off of other stuff.

Ask: What does this passage say about peace?

They “get peace”

Because the “God of peace” is in their midst

Help in our anxiety

Peace brings passion

Change perspective from apathetical to applicational (passionate)

Application:

Where anxiety led faith?

Refocus on applying Biblical truths

Allow God to take care of the rest

Transition: The God that can take your apathy and turn it into Biblical application is the same God that turn your discontentment into contentment

The Big Idea: Changing your perspective brings peace.

The Question: What changes in perspective bring peace?

1. From negativity to positivity

2. From apathetical to applicational

3. From discontentment to contentment

Philippians 4:10–13 (ESV)

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Explanation:

V. 13: Misquoted

Athletes

Ask; But what is the context of verse 13?

Context: Contentment

Content = satisfied with what one has

Paul = thankful for financial contribution

Paul clarifies: not discontentment

Contentment = Perspective

Contentment = Rare Jewel

Discontentment = common

“If your happiness depends on where you live, whom you date, or where you work, then you are dealing with discontentment.”

Three truths about contentment

Unconnected to circumstances

V. 12: “In any and every circumstance.”

Paul

Wealthy > Jail

Travel world > stuck in jail

Friends and family > guard breathing down his neck

Contentment anchored to Jesus

Circumstances change, but God doesn’t

Contentment is learned

Paul “I have learned contentment” x2

Not learned overnight

“It involves a regular struggle to believe that Christ is enough.”

Contentment flows from relying on Jesus

“All things” = “in plenty & in need”

Focus isn’t situation; focus is Jesus

“Either you focus on Jesus, or you will crash into discontentment, complaining, deceit, distrust, or greed.”

Relying on Jesus = confidence

Confidence = “the opposite of anxiety” (Life Coach Renee Jain)

Not from self, but from Christ

Relying on Jesus = complete confidence in every situation

Contentment is a Christian reality.

Application:

Have you learned & experienced the secret?

How change perspective > contentment?

Keep learning + growing

Stop looking to circumstances; look to Christ

Conclusion

Visualization

Cup = full

More you realize, the truer it becomes (poor until cup is full)

Reiteration

Commit to thinking differently

Briefly discuss extra handout

PRAY

Lesson Overview

The Big Idea: Changing your perspective brings peace.

The Question: What changes in perspective bring peace?

1. From negativity to positivity (Phil 4:8)

2. From apathetical to applicational (Phil 4:9)

3. From concern to contentment (Phil 4:10-13)

Small Group Questions

Why is changing your perspective about something so difficult?

What are some ways that you struggle with being overly negative? What can you do to change that?

At what point can anxiety lead to apathy? Explain.

How is Christian contentment the ultimate answer to our anxiety struggles?

What is one way that you are going to apply this text to your life this week?