In a fix? Philippians 4:6!

A friend shared that little jingle with me years ago, and it’s stuck with me ever since. Any time we find ourselves in a trial or struggle, Philippians 4:6 is a great place to turn. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.“

Last night in our anxiety class, we learned that anxiety can be overcome only by praying with thankfulness and focusing on things that are true and praiseworthy. We also discussed the importance of putting off and putting on when it comes to breaking any bad habit and forming a new one in its place.

Here’s an audio recording of last night’s message, along with my teaching notes below. This is part 2 in an 8-week class on the subject of fear, worry, anxiety and learning to trust God. Our study will continue next Wednesday and you’re welcome to join us in the Fellowship Hall!

AVOIDING ANXIETY THROUGH PRAYER
ANXIETY CLASS – WEEK TWO

1. Introduction –
   • Every trial is a new opportunity to trust in God. One opportunity for our family.
   • Habits save time and free up mental space, but are hard to break. Ever been “Stuck in a rut”?
   • “The best way to eliminate a bad habit is to replace it with a good one” (p. 38)
   • The principle of putting off and putting on (Eph. 4:22-32)
   • To aid our study of the Bible, we are using a supplemental book by John MacArthur called Anxious for Nothing.
2. React to Problems with Thankful Prayer (Phil. 4:6-7)
   • “Being thankful will release you from fear and worry. It is a tangible demonstration of trusting your situation to God’s sovereign control. And it is easy to do, since there are so many blessings to be thankful for” (p. 39).
   • Look up the following verses and share why we can give thanks: Phil. 4:19; Ps. 139:3; Lk. 10:20; Rom. 8:29.
   • Not all blessings are tangible. Some are. But others take faith!
3. Focus on Godly Virtues (Phil. 4:8)
   • The importance of the mind.
   • See Martin Lloyd-Jones’ quote on p. 44-45
   • Think on what is true – Christ and his word are the standard (Jn. 14:6; 17:17).
   • Think on what is honorable– serious, weighty, dignified, worthy of respect
   • Think on what is just– righteous, consistent with God’s holiness
   • Think on what is pure– holy, unstained, undefiled, like priests of the Old Testament
   • Think on what is lovely– rare word. Agreeable, kind, causing pleasure or delight.
   • Think on what is commendable – (Gk. eúphēmos) well-sounding, pleasing, repeatable.
   • Think on anything excellent and praiseworthy – don’t be a curmudgeon!
   • Possible sources – Bible reading, Bible memory, hymns, books, church, Christian fellowship, music, prayer journal, other journaling, nature, art, podcasts, websites, apps, movies, magazines, news, family, etc. Not always easy in a dark world!
   • Corollary – be careful of thinking on anything that does not fit this criteria. At best, it is worthless. At worst, it is destructive. And it can often perpetuate our fears.
   • Retrain the direction of your thoughts. See Adams’ quote on p. 48.
4. Practice What Has Been Preached (Phil. 4:9)
   • Right thinking leads to right behavior
   • God’s Word restrains the flesh. See p. 49.
5. Discussion
   • Could my worry be a result of “overthinking” things? Why or why not?
   • How do godly attitudes, thoughts, and actions work together?
   • Complete Personal Application Question 1 (p. 183)
   • What is one area you try to be an example to others? What’s an area you would like to grow?

Ever notice how kids can laugh and play, dance and sing, eat and sleep, with seemingly not a care in the world? Oh, they have their grumpy spells when they’re tired or don’t get their way. But they have a kind of ignorant bliss that isn’t worried about pandemics or recessions or war or just about anything else in life other than their next snack. Then they grow up.

It doesn’t take long before we grow up and get weighed down by the concerns of this world. If we’re not careful, we will enter a permanent state of fear, anger, and depression.

Last night we began a new discipleship class called “Anxious for Nothing.” The title comes from Philippians 4:6 where the Apostle Paul says, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

One of the things I pointed out last night is that if there is no God, you have good reason to be afraid! It is a rational response to a godless, dangerous, broken, messed up world full of violence, injustice, and disaster. The old saying, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” sounds like a fantasy. However, if there is a God, we can take genuine comfort knowing he is a loving Father who knows our needs and promises to provide for us one day at a time.

If you struggle with fear, worry, and anxiety, I encourage you to give it a listen. Here’s an audio recording of last night’s message, along with my teaching notes below. Also, you are welcome to join us in person next Wednesday at 6pm in the Fellowship Hall as we continue this important study.

OBSERVING HOW GOD CARES FOR YOU
ANXIETY CLASS – WEEK ONE

Date	Week	Topic	Homework Due
August 3	1	Observing How God Cares for You	Rd. Intro., Ch. 1
August 10	2	Avoiding Anxiety Through Prayer	Rd. Ch. 2
August 17	3	Casting Your Cares on God	Rd. Ch. 3
August 24	4	Living a Life of Faith & Trust	Rd. Ch. 4
August 31	5	Knowing Others are Looking Out for You	Rd. Ch. 5
September 7	6	Dealing with Problem People	Rd. Chs. 6-7
September 14	7	Doing All Things Without Complaining	Rd. Ch. 8
September 21	8	Learning to Be Content	Rd. Ch. 9, Appendix

• Introduction – What is Anxiety?
  • “Anxiety is, at is core, an inappropriate response in light of circumstances” (Rd. p. 11)
  • A few of my favorite memes
  • There are many symptoms including knots in stomach, distraction, fatigue, etc.
  • The process we will follow (p. 14) – could be applied to any counseling topic.
  • To aid our study of the Bible, we are using a supplemental book by John MacArthur called Anxious for Nothing.

THREE REASONS NOT TO WORRY (Matt. 6:25-34)

• It is unnecessary because of our Father (Matt. 6:26)
  • Reasons you might be anxious. If there’s no God, you have reason to worry!
  • Note the difference between cause and circumstances. Source vs. setting. The heart.
  • The word “worry” comes from a word meaning to choke or strangle. See also Judges 7:3 – fearful and “trembling” (ḥārēd). The root meaning is “to shake,” from which meanings such as “tremble” and “fear” are derived. Physical shaking describes the quaking of Mount Sinai (Ex 19:18). Geographic quaking serves as a poetic figure for human trembling (Isa 10:29, 41:5; Ezk 26:18). (TWOT)
  • If you were walking with a child, what proofs might you point out of God’s provision?
  • “Anxiety is blatant distrust of the power and love of God” (p. 18)
• It is uncharacteristic because of our faith (Matt. 6:30).
  • “Do not fear” is a frequent command (Mt. 6:25-34; 10:19; Phil. 4:6; Dt. 1:21, etc…)
  • First trust him for the greater gift, then trust him for the lesser gift (see p. 29).
• It is unwise because of our future (Matt. 6:34)
  • Does having a savings account or insurance imply a lack of trust?
  • “Providing for tomorrow is good, but worrying about tomorrow is a sin (p. 31)
  • The lesson of manna in the Old Testament.
  • God gives us strength on day at a time. (Great quote on p. 32)
  • We still need to work and plan ahead – Gen. 3:18-19; 2 Thess. 3:10.
• Discussion Questions
• As you compare your life right now to ten years ago, would you say you have more to worry about, less, or about the same?
• Is it OK to worry about the basics, as long as it’s not the luxuries? Why or why not?
• Our routines reveal heart priorities. When are you most tempted to be preoccupied with the “things of the world” and not the “things above.”
• Think of a specific example of how God provided for you in a hard time
• What else stood out to you in this first chapter?

God not only forgives the sins you remember. He also forgives the sins you have forgotten. Biblical Counselor Jay Adams says this is actually an act of God’s mercy — to help you forget past sins, and experience cleansing through Christ, so you will not wallow in continual guilt and shame.

“Even with careful thought we cannot recall all the sins we have committed. Why? We must not fail to see the activity of God here. He promises to forgive us our sins through the blood of Christ. This promise is an intentional forgetting’ on His part (Isaiah 43:25, Jeremiah 31:34).

“If God does not remember, would He then want His people to remember? There are some sins we do remember which should humble us, as Calvin pointed out. But-the vast majority we forget, as God does. This should be seen as a divine blessing, in which the awake state is cleared of all such consciousness.”

-“A Biblical Alternative to Inner Healing,” Journal of Biblical Counseling, 6:4, p, 33.