Don't Panic: Overcoming Anxiety

So what’s the deal?

If you have your Bible’s with you tonight, go ahead and pull the out and open them to Philippians chapter 4.

Some of you probably already know what we are talking about tonight if you have seen our instagram account, and maybe some of you do not know what we are talking about tonight. And maybe some didn’t show up because of what we are talking about tonight.

But just in case you do not know we are going to have a small talk and discussion about anxiety. And I know many of you just get anxious when you hear the word anxiety because I get anxious when I hear the word anxiety. Its also why we might be missing a few tonight because for some reason, when we set out to talk about anxiety to deal with anxiety we get anxious about it as if we would rather be stuck with out anxiety than let it go.

Its also why we might be missing a few tonight because for some reason, when we set out to talk about anxiety to deal with anxiety we get anxious about it as if we would rather be stuck with out anxiety than let it go.

But lately anxiety has become increasingly an issue that I keep hearing about over and over and over again. I have so many people in my life, whether through ministry or friendship, that have been greatly affected by anxiety in their life. And so tonight, I want to take the time to address anxiety.

I remember when I was in college, I had this one recurring nightmare. And I had it every year since I was a freshman, but it became particular bad when I was nearing graduation. But that nightmare was the same.

It went like this, I would get closer and closer to the end of the semester, and as I was getting closer to the end of the semester, I would get an email from a professor or from my advisor. And that email would be a notice about how I would be failing “x class” because I failed to show up for any of the classes for the semester. And just as I was entering a state of panic I would wake up in a sweat thinking what class am I forgetting , what class haven’t I been attending. Then, after a couple minutes I would reorient myself and realize it was all a dream.

Now, that is just a funny little anecdote about anxiety and how it can affect us, and how sometimes it can seemingly come out of now where and not really be about anything real.

Anxiety is Real, the Bible affirms it

But, I tell you that story because I want to affirm in every single one of you that anxiety is real. Anxiety is something that every single one of us will experience at some point in our life.

And many of you may be struggling with anxiety right now. And I am not saying that i can understand or comprehend that anxiety that you are feeling.

And there are kinds and levels of anxiety, from the smallest of instances (like the anxiety situated around passing a test) to the greatest of struggles when you are in full blown panic and you might not know why.

In we read the story of Mary and Martha, and Mary we all know sits down at the feet of Jesus while Martha does all the preparation, and cooking, and cleaning, and serving, and running around, and trying to get everything done. And Mary, Mary just sits there.

And Jesus says to Martha, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things.” And maybe today, your anxiety is tied to something. Something that you think you have control over, something that you can do something about. And you are running yourself ragged.

Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things

says, “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down”

Of maybe your experience is more like the one found in , which says, “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down”

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down

And you would know if you have experience this kind of anxiety. Becuase literally, it can feel like there is a weight that has been placed upon you and there is nothing that you can do about it. You feel trapped and unable to escape the grip of the feeling like you can never overcome.

Like literally, it can feel like there is a weight that has been placed upon you and there is nothing that you can do about it. You feel trapped and unable to escape the grip of the feeling like you can never overcome.

So, if you struggle with anxiety, if you feel like it just gets you down sometimes, I want you to know there is nothing wrong with you. The Bible affirms that anxiety is a thing that we will struggle with. And just because you believe in Jesus, does not mean that you cannot and will not suffer from anxiety.

No body is immune to it. I told you a funny anecdote earlier about one of my experiences, but even today, I still experience anxiety. And I have experienced it to the point that I do not know if I’m going to get out of it.

I don’t think any of you would question my faith and devotion to God, but that doesn’t stop anxiety from coming my way. In the same manner, I would not expect you to also have it figured out and perfect to the point you never experience it.

What do we find in Philippians?

But today, I want to try to equip you a little bit in those days and moments that anxiety finds it way to you. Of course, there are lots of ways to deal with anxiety from a modern perspective, from medication to exercise and so much more. But, nobody ever seems to address the spiritual aspect of anxiety.

From the smallest of instances (like the anxiety situated around passing a test) to the greatest of struggles when you are in full blown panic and you might not know why.

has been my strength in the midst of all situations and scenarios:

“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

This passage finds itself right at the end of Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi. And the church there is facing unimaginable pressure, from the church looking to split to the continual persecution by the Roman government. The people are experiencing a ton of anxiety about whether or not their church will survive, nonetheless, that they will survive with their very lives.

But even in the midst of this troubling time, Paul writes to them, “DO NOT BE ANXIOUS.”

At first glance, this seems incredibly insensitive and brash of Paul to tell someone to stop being anxious. The truth is that most the time when people tell us not to be anxious, they aren’t very helpful. It is so much easier said than done. We don’t want to be like this, but we just cannot help it.

But what Paul is doing, id he just doesn’t tell them to not be anxious, but follows it up with an exhortation of what they can do INSTEAD. Just to be clear, Paul is acknowledging that they are anxious. in fact that they are in throes of anxiety. He never tells them its in their head, he never says it isn’t real. he is not telling them to just get over it.

What do we do in the throes of Anxiety?

Instead, Paul in loving kindness instructs them on how to overcome the anxiety that they are already experiencing.

He says to them: “but in everything by prayer and supplication”

In every situation where worry and anxiety might arise, does arise, we should give ourselves to prayer and supplication; prayer, talk to God, supplication, make specific requests of Him!

We are good and fine to pray, but do we ever make specific requests to God about our situation? Do we ever just say, “God, take this anxiety away. Take my worry away. God change my situation.” I think a lot of us don’t. A lot of us are AFRAID to ask God to enter into our lives in that way. Not because we are afraid God might make our bad situation better, but that He might not show up at all. We fear to make specific requests of God because we are afraid that if we ask, He might not respond.

We’ve all heard, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t shoot. Well you don’t get an answer to 100% of the prayers you don’t pray. Throw one up. Just do it. Just begin to throw up your requests, your specific, heart felt, requests to God and see what he can do.

Paul doesn’t just leave it at prayer and supplication, though, does he. He also says, “with thanksgiving.” And you might be asking yourself, “what am I being thankful for? I’m full of anxiety and worry and concern and nothing is going right. How can I be thankful?” Well, be thankful for the times and things that caused you anxiety and God already brought you through them. Be thankful that in other times of distress, God didn’t let you fail. Bring your thankfulness with your request.

I can tell you from first hand experience that recalling God’s goodness in previous moment in my life already brings so much of what I am feeling into perspective. It allows me to slow down, when I feel like things are going at hyper speed, like time is speeding up and I don’t have the time to get everything done. But, if I remember those times that God held me, those times it all turned out alright, time slows back down. My head stops rushing ahead of itself.

What Can I Expect?

So, when you hold on to what is true. When you talk to God and make your requests before him, you will find that verse 7 becomes reality:

its says, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” In the midst of the storms, you will find peace. Peace. What a contrast to the feeling of anxiety. Peace like a river will flood into your souls and you will find your rest and satisfaction in Christ Jesus.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Remember how I told you about Martha, and how Jesus told her she was just so worried and anxious about too many things. In contrast to how Martha was feeling, we have Mary, about whom Jesus said this: “but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

In the absolute throes of anxiety, remember this one thing. Only one thing is necessary, that is to choose as Mary chose, to sit at the feet of Jesus. When we chose to willingly sit at the feet of Jesus, we have chosen the good things. Our anxiety will slip away because regardless of what troubles may come in this life to bring great concern, none of it can compare to the hope found in Jesus.

Amen.