“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7
In a society filled with worry and anxiety, the gospel encourages us in a different way of living. Statistics show that roughly 85% of the things we become worried or anxious about don’t actually happen, but it becomes comfortable to live in states of chaos instead of entering into mindsets of peace. Regardless of what our circumstances lay in front of us, we can think better thoughts that are based on gospel truth and clarity. In this Sunday's message, Pastor Luis Guerrero shares three ways that God becomes the answer for our anxiety.
What's the Context:
- The Greek word for “to worry” is merimnaō and is usually translated as “to care, to be anxious (troubled with cares), or to be concerned.
- Austen Riggs, M.D. defines anxiety as “a circle of inefficient thoughts whirling about a point of fear.”
1. He’s Here and He’s on the Way
- We can rest in the truth that God is coming again soon, but live in the reality that he is also present with me in the here and now.
- If God is with us, we now have the power to declare God’s words and promises over our circumstances.
- Freedom comes into our spirits when we communicate with God vocally when we find ourselves in anxiety, speaking out scripture and truth over our lives.
2. Our Prayers are Effective
- Paul encourages us to pray to God about everything.
- It’s easy to run to others around us or specific coping mechanisms when we face anxiety instead of approaching God with our worries.
- What if the challenges we face in our life actually triggered us to pray instead of being anxious?
- God is looking for intimacy and connection with you through prayer.
3. His Peace is Our Promise
- We can be settled in the middle of the storm because we have the promise that peace will guard our heart.
- Unless we put the words of God into practice, we will not experience the peace that God has for us.
Additional Resources
- John 16:33
- Luke 10:41
- 1 Peter 5:6-7
Dinner Party Questions
- How does the truth that God is with you and goes before you bring encouragement to your heart?
- Are there moments where you seek the peace of God without his presence? How can trusting God with the outcome of our circumstances lead to a more vibrant life?
- How has peace guarded your heart from anxiety and worry? What does it look like to have a heart that is guarded while open to intimacy with God?
