Anxiety Check

                               Philippians 4:6-7

Introduction: Last week Philippians 3, this week Philippians 4.

Philippians 4:6-7  ‘Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus’. (NKJ)

μεριμνάω merimnao {mer-im-nah’-o}

Worry v. Anxiety – When we worry, it’s mental. We may be mentally turning a problem over in our minds, but we are thinking. Anxiety is often a collection of physical feelings: dry mouth, racing mind, pounding heart, sweaty palms, upset stomach and clenched muscles

Meaning:  1) to be anxious 1a) to be troubled with care 2) to care for, look out for (a thing) 2a) to seek to promote one’s interests 2b) caring or providing for

Origin:  from 3308; TDNT – 4:589,584; v

Usage:  AV – take thought 11, care 5, be careful 2, have care 1; 19

Anxious – Experiencing worry, unease, or nervousness, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.

2. Wanting something very much, typically with a feeling of unease.

Anxiety = a feeling of fear, dread, and uneasiness.

There appears to be an answer or at minimum a tremendous exhortation, directive on dealing with worry and anxiety.

Verse 4, ‘Always be full of joy in the Lord, I say it again-rejoice.’

Meaning:  1) to rejoice, be glad 2) to rejoice exceedingly 3) to be well, thrive 4) in salutations, hail! 5) at the beginning of letters: to give one greeting, salute

Origin:  a primary verb; TDNT – 9:359,1298; v

Usage:  AV – rejoice 42, be glad 14, joy 5, hail 5, greeting 3, God speed 2, all hail 1, joyfully 1, farewell 1; 74

Question: So, how is this possible?
Transition: It begins by understanding the place & confidence of what I’ll refer to as a ‘quiet’ place.

1. The Place of ‘Quiet’ / ‘Stillness’ in my Today

V. 5, ‘Let everyone see that you are considerate in all that you do.’

Word moderation/forbearance / gentleness used.

Translated = what is suitable, equitable, fair. Displayed in being mild, gentle, and even patient.

‘Seeing that God is at hand to give us help in time for all our miseries.’ 

• Not being anxious because of Impatience!

Application: Most adults in the United States (70%) are anxious about keeping themselves and their families safe, with 42% very anxious about gun violence (mental health poll by APA).

CNBC – 77% of Americans are anxious over the financial situation.

Question: Is it possible to not worry?

Application: Worries, doubts, and anxieties are a normal part of life. It’s natural to worry about an unpaid bill, an upcoming job interview, or a first date. But “normal” worry becomes excessive when it’s persistent and uncontrollable. You worry every day about “what ifs” and worst-case scenarios, you can’t get anxious thoughts out of your head, and it interferes with your daily life. https://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/how-to-stop-worrying.htm

With practice, we learn to step away from the thoughts and emotions that entertain worst-case scenarios;

instead, we develop an awareness that allows us to not only see what our mind is inventing but to also be less triggered by worry. We are essentially training the mind to be calmer, more at ease, and less reactive.

Question: So how / why should I rejoice when things aren’t going as well as we’d like?

1. The Role of God in my / our ‘Tomorrow’
   
   

Question: What is a cubit?

The term cubit is found in the Bible regarding Noah’s Ark, the Ark of the Covenant, the Tabernacle, and Solomon’s Temple. The common cubit was divided into 6 palms × 4 fingers = 24 digits. Royal cubits added a palm for 7 palms × 4 fingers = 28 digits.

The cubit is the distance between the elbow and the tip of the middle finger. Most modern translations of the Bible substitute modern units.

Matthew 6:27-34

Examples / Comparisons:

1. The Flowers

• Solomon

Transition: BUT IN EVERYTHING!

1. The Principle / Function of Prayer, Supplication & Thanksgiving.

Prayer = 1) prayer addressed to God 2) a place set apart or suited for the offering of prayer 2a) a synagogue 2b) a place in the open air where the Jews were wont to pray, outside the cities, where they had no synagogue.

Supplication = 1) need, indigence, want, privation, penury 2) a seeking, asking, entreating, entreaty to God or to man

Thanksgiving = euvcaristi,a (eucharistia) Meaning: thankfulness, giving of thanks

Transition: In looking, turning to God, and believing that He will provide, a promise is made.

1. The Promise / (Beauty of Peace)

Question: Why shouldn’t we worry?

1. God is for us!
2. Because God can still any storm with a whisper!
3. God has a plan and has promised to work everything out for our good!
4. Because He’s promised to provide and sustain!

Conclusion / Question: What is the answer/remedy/recommendation?

Rejoice in the Lord….ALWAYS!