The church in Philippi was going through tough times when Paul wrote them. Notwithstanding his own unenviable plight, Paul encouraged them to rejoice in the Lord (v. 4), to be gentle to all (v. 5), and to look up to God in the midst of their crises (v. 6-9).

The opposite of peace is war. But the enemy of peace is anxiety. There is no peace for those who meditate on their concerns day and night. We experience peace only when we…

Redirect our worries to GOD. (vv. 6-7)

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

The slower the pictures move, the better your ability of handling stress. None of these images are animated - they are perfectly static! The pictures are used to test the level of stress a person can handle.

Anxiety is a complex combination of emotions that includes fear, apprehension and worry, and is often accompanied by physical sensations such as rise in blood pressure, palpitations, nausea, dry mouth, headaches, insomnia, poor concentration, chest pain, muscular tension, fatigue, diarrhea, and/or shortness of breath. (Dr. Gary R. Collins, Christian Counseling)

According to the Bible, there is nothing wrong with realistically acknowledging and trying to deal with the identifiable problems of life. To ignore danger is foolish and wrong. (Dr. Gary R. Collins, Christian Counseling)

But it is also wrong, as well as unhealthy, to be immobilized by excessive worry. Such worry must be committed to prayer to God, who can release us from paralyzing fear or anxiety, and free us to deal realistically with the needs and welfare both of others and of ourselves. (Dr. Gary R. Collins, Christian Counseling)

1.Redirect our worries to God (vv. 6-7) Present your requests to God. Present your requests to God. Prayer Prayer Petition Petition Thanksgiving Thanksgiving The peace of God will guard you. The peace of God will guard you.

Redirect our thoughts to GOD. (v. 8)

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)

It’s what we say to ourselves in response to any particular situation that mainly determines our mood and feelings. Often we say it so quickly and automatically that we don’t even notice, and so we get the impression that the external situation “makes” us feel the way we do. But it’s really our interpretations and thoughts about what is happening that form the basis of our feelings

ExternalEvents Interpretation of Events & Self-Talk Feelings & Reactions

“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

2.Redirect our thoughts to God (v. 8) Think only of what is… Think only of what is… True – “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.” True – “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.” Noble – “The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.” Noble – “The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.”

2.Redirect our thoughts to God (v. 8) Think only of what is… Think only of what is… Right – “The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.” Right – “The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.” Pure – “The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.” Pure – “The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.”

2.Redirect our thoughts to God (v. 8) Think only of what is… Think only of what is… Lovely – “The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.” Lovely – “The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.” Admirable – “The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous.” Admirable – “The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous.”

2.Redirect our thoughts to God (v. 8) Think only of what is… Think only of what is… Excellent or Praiseworthy – “They are more precious than gold,” Excellent or Praiseworthy – “They are more precious than gold,” The Word of God will grow you (cf. Psalm 19:7-11). The Word of God will grow you (cf. Psalm 19:7-11).

When you are feeling anxious, depressed, self-critical, or upset in general…

STOP!

STOP and ask yourself… What am I telling myself that is making me feel this way?

STOP and ask yourself… Do I really want to do this to myself?

STOP and ask yourself… Do I really want to stay upset?

LOOK!

LOOK to God… …for Wisdom!

LOOK to God… …for Strength!

LOOK to God… …for Peace!

LISTEN!

LISTEN to God… …for the Truth!

LISTEN to God… …for the Truth about you!

LISTEN to God… …for the Truth about your situation!

Redirect our life to GOD. (v. 9)

“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:9)

3.Redirect our life to God (v. 9) Put into practice… Put into practice… What you have learned What you have learned What you have received What you have received What you have heard What you have heard What you have seen What you have seen The God of peace will guide you. The God of peace will guide you.