Joy Overcomes Anxiety
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
In 1988, the radio waves and any station that played music videos was filled with one song:
Bobby McFerrin telling you about a little song he wrote that you might want to sing note for note.
In this song, he talked about responding to losing your home, facing lawsuits, being broke and single, and all sorts of trouble.
His advice: “Don’t worry. Be happy.”
Just put that part of your brain in neutral! “Hakuna Matata!”
What is more likely is that we seek to mask any anxiety we feel.
From substances to pleasure to entertainment to doom scrolling social media.
These things serve as distractions to occupy the mind, but they are temporary.
Bobby McFerrin did say one thing that was true, “In this life we have some trouble.”
Anxiety is real. And Paul addresses this very real and relevant topic.
Be Forgiving
Be Forgiving
vv. 4-5
He was addressing anxiety in the church caused by division: Euodia and Syntyche.
Anxiety from conflict!
And immediately he says to “Rejoice!” Some might say this is disconnected from previous section.
How do we overcome anxiety from conflict? Be forgiving.
Have an attitude check.
Attitude is a choice.
Rejoice - choose to have joy. Not easy, but it is possible.
Focus of that joy - Jesus. (Love. Forgiveness. Purpose.)
“Let your reasonableness…” for some translations “gentleness” or “moderation” or “graciousness.”
Found how a translation of this word was used in the Old Testament that was helpful.
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.
“Forgiving.” Why this word literally means something that fits. It goes together.
Are you looking to forgive or looking to hold that grudge? One leads to anxiety, the other to peace.
Even more, too many people are looking for an argument.
Don’t engage!
“Don’t feed the trolls!”
There are those who have appointed themselves as the thought police - looking for any wrong OR difference.
How exhausting and how lonely these people must be.
Are you willing to forgive? The Lord is at hand! The Lord who forgave you.
Be Prayerful
Be Prayerful
vv. 6-7
Replace anxiety with something else.
Downward spiral of despair. Why it’s called the “Pit of despair.”
Don’t be anxious about ANYTHING.
Nothing is too big for God.
Prayer & petition - with thanksgiving! Skipped and challenging.
Suffering has potential.
Testimonies and sanctification.
The result -
Peace that cannot be comprehended.
Defies logic!
And then it guards the parts that are most vulnerable to anxiety.
CAVEAT - Mental health. Sometimes we need help and that’s okay!
We take a multifaceted approach to this topic. Spiritual. Physical. Emotional. Mental.
Be Mindful
Be Mindful
What fills your mind? Guard your hearts. God helps us, but…
Take responsibility for what you consume.
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
Going to the doctor and he says that you’ve gained weight, your cholesterol is high, and your blood pressure is at a dangerous level.
Well, doc, I don’t know why. I watch what I eat. I watch all those McDonalds fries and ice cream sundaes and burritos from taco bell go right in my mouth!
What you consume effects you!
And much of what we consume causes anxiety at the least, but even more often, outrage.
That’s intentional.
Your outrage makes other people rich.
Clicks and time on social media. Time spent watching the cable news channels.
And the more outraged you get, the more eyeballs they get, the more money they get.
Now, sometimes outrage is appropriate.
But, we balance that with what Scripture says:
Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.
Too often we do the opposite because of what we are feeding ourselves.
Read but with opposites.
Read these verses slowly.
Mindfulness takes practice.
Shawn on the clarinet.
Read again, slowly.
Conclusion
Conclusion
“Don’t worry…be forgiving, be prayerful, be mindful.”
Much that worries us beforehand can afterwards, quite unexpectedly, have a happy and simple solution. Worries just don’t matter. Things really are in a better hand than ours.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Lutheran Pastor)
Same Bonhoeffer who was pastoring in Germany during the reign of Adolf Hitler, who would eventually die in a concentration camp for speaking out against the evil that was occurring.
If anyone had a reason to be anxious, to worry, it was Brother Dietrich. But he had faith in Jesus.
Where is your faith?
When you worry you are saying in effect, “God, I just don’t think I can trust You.” Worry strikes a blow at the person and character of God.
John F. MacArthur
