Anxiety and Thanksgiving
Notes
Transcript
Anyone here ever have anxiety about anything?
Anyone here ever have anxiety about anything?
We all do to one extent or another
In fact, anxiety is become commonplace and more accepted in our culture. But the scripture says:
6 Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
“Don’t be anxious about anything.”
Not much wiggle room. Kinda discouraging, right?
Nevertheless, we probably do give anxiety too much leeway in our lives - and this verse is clearly telling us not to do that
Don’t be discouraged by this command. Paul was also anxious...
28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you can rejoice and I can be free from anxiety.
28 Apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxious concern for all the churches.
The message of the scripture is not “Just stop being anxious”
The message of the scripture is not “Just stop being anxious”
Praise God! He actually has told us how to do this
We saw two steps in Phil 4:6-7 to the “peace of God that surpasses all understanding”
FIRST: Don’t just sit with your problems and fears - bring them to the Lord
8 Trust in him at all times, you people! Pour out your hearts before him! God is our shelter! (Selah)
Our battle with anxiety is really about our head-space
Where are you keeping your head?
SECOND: Express gratitude to the Lord
This requires reflecting on the good things God has done for you
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things. 9 And what you learned and received and heard and saw in me, do these things. And the God of peace will be with you.
Paul struggled with anxiety, but he just clued us into how he changed his head-space
Gratitude is a change of head-space
Today’s exhortation:
Today’s exhortation:
Stop putting up with anxiety - stop accepting it as a normal part of life
Take command of your head-space by going to the Lord with gratitude
This season of Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to do that