Living with Worry

Introduction

I have a brief quiz for you as we begin. This is for you and you alone and anyone you want to share it with. This is to help you see your worry level. Answer each question from 0 (not at all) to 3 (definitely yes). This quiz comes from Edward Hallowell, a Harvard researcher and I found it in a book by John Ortberg. Here we go: Do you wish you worried less? Do worries sometimes pop into your mind and take over your thinking? Do you find compliments and/or reassurance hard to accept? How much do you procrastinate? (Give some extra time for some.) Do you worry about worry? Do you sometimes feel God is disappointed at your lack of faith? Are you worried about what your score will be on this quiz?

If your score is 0 then you are an extremely confident person or living in denial. If your score is 6 or less then worry does not bother you much. If your score is between 7 and 12 you often find yourself troubled by anxiety. If your score is 13 or more than it may well be that worry is a major issue for your life.

We are looking at living life with purpose as a theme. Last week we laid the foundation that living life with purpose means focusing on bringing glory to God. Today we are going to look at the importance of recognizing that worry robs us of our joy and peace. Our text today focuses on the presence of both of those Spirit-generated traits in the life of the believer. There are some specific things we can do to experience joy and peace more fully in our lives.

The Text

Paul is in prison as he writes this letter. The congregation in Philippi is under attack both internally and externally. Discouragement is present. Uncertain about the future of their dear friend and teacher, Paul and disharmony within the congregation provides much fodder for forgetting what is really important. Paul prays that they will grow in their love so that they will realize that what is really important is bringing glory and praise to God. As Paul begins his final exhortation to the congregation he focuses once again on a common theme throughout the text—joy.

In verse 4, joy is not found in circumstances. Joy is found in the Lord. Paul uses a word in verse 5 which has numerous meanings: the NIV translates it as “gentleness,” the KJV as “moderation,” the NLT as “considerate in all you do,” and the International Standard Bible as “gracious attitude.”

Whatever the point, the attitude is to be based on the nearness of the Lord. I suspect Paul is writing that the return of Christ is near. Paul has written something very similar in 2:3—4 in which he says that in humility we are to think of others and their needs before our own. Paul in 2:10—11 demonstrates the exaltation of Christ when he returns. I believe the point is that joy is not found in circumstances. Rather let an attitude of gentleness, grace, and consideration be seen because as believers we are aware that Christ’s return is imminent.

Christ’s imminent return affects our attitude and how we pray. We are not anxious about anything; instead we pray continually with thanksgiving. We let joy take the place of our discontent and our anxiety. And with an attitude of joy, graciousness, and thanksgiving we find peace—a peace which can only come from God. Paul says to bring your needs to God with an attitude of thankfulness for what he has already done and in doing so you will learn how to be content and filled with joy.

So What?

What does all of this have to do with worry? First let’s make sure we understand that worry is that which is based on “what if” thinking; it leads to inaction; it makes us feel out of control; it distracts us; it can affect us physically, spiritually, and emotionally. We worry in large measure because we think that worry will help us. We think worry might affect the outcome of a situation. We think worry might help us solve the problem. We think worry helps us to focus on the main problem. We think worry motivates us. We think worry at least feels like we are doing something. In fact, we accuse others of not caring when they do not worry like we do. Yet worry will do none of these things.

Worry robs us of our joy. And to make matters worse, any sermon like this has the potential of increasing worry and guilt. In fact, some of you have already heard me say that if your faith were stronger you wouldn’t worry. That is not what I am saying or going to say. What God wants for your life is that you have joy and peace, not worry.

How do we do that? Let me suggest a couple of things to think about. First, quit trying to stop worry. That seems odd but let me finish. Worry starts as thoughts and we have a hard time stopping thoughts. Then on top of that we start thinking that something is wrong because we have the thought. So quit trying to stop the thought. Instead, take the thought and challenge it with truth. For example, when the “what if” thought comes—let it come, capture the thought, and challenge it with the truth. The what if may not come, but if it does then God is able to give me strength to endure or a plan of escape.

This is what Paul commands in Philippians 4:8—9. He tells his readers that we have to think on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent. God wants to give you joy and peace. Our prayers reflect that joy with thanksgiving.

Second, share your worry with someone. Part of the power of worry is that we keep it to ourselves because we know God doesn’t want us to worry. So we feel guilt and shame because we worry which in turn makes us feel very isolated. That isolation leaves us feeling like no one will understand and the cycle continues. Part of dealing with worry is to capture the thoughts but to allow another with joy and peace to pray for your increase in joy and peace. I want you to notice how Paul puts this in Philippians 4:9. “And the God of peace will be with you.” In verse 7 Paul had said the peace of God will guard your hearts but now it is the God of peace who is with you.

God is the giver of peace and he is the originator of peace. He is not only the giver of peace, he is peace himself. Not only is the peace of God ours but the God of peace is near. God is near you. He wants you to live this life with purpose to bring glory and praise to him. When we are at peace because of the nearness of the God of peace then he receives what is rightfully his—glory and praise. And we demonstrate joy with thanksgiving not only in our prayers but in the way we live.

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