A Strategy for Managing Stress

Philippians 4:4-8 – 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (New Revised Standard Version)

Step One: _________________________________

Philippians 4:6 – Don’t fret or worry. . . . (The Message)

Matthew 6:25 – [Jesus said,] “So I tell you, don’t worry about everyday life . . .” (New Living Translation)

Matthew 6:34 – [Jesus said,] “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” (The Message)

Insight #1: Live _______ _______ at a time

Step Two: ________________________________

Philippians 4:6 – Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. (The Message)

Philippians 4:6 – . . . tell God every detail of your needs . . . (Phillips Translation)

1 Peter 5:7 – God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him. (Contemporary English Version)

Insight #2: There is no problem that is too _______ for God’s power or too ____________ for God’s concern

Step Three: _______________________________

Philippians 4:6 – . . . Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. (New Living Translation)

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – 16 Be joyful always, 17 pray at all times, 18 be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus. (Good News Translation)

Insight #3: There’s always __________________ to be grateful for

Step Four: ________________________________

Philippians 4:8 – Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious – the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. (The Message)

Proverbs 23:7 – For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. . . . (New King James Version)

Insight #4: What ever I _______________ about is what I am __________________

The Result

Philippians 4:7 – Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (New Living Translation)