Overcoming AnxietySample

Practice These Things

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”—Philippians 4:4–9 (ESV)

In Paul’s letter written to the Philippians, Paul sets an example of how changing our mindset can create hope to overcome the battle before us. Paul was in prison when he was writing to the believers in Philippi.

I’m sure Paul had grand plans of evangelizing all over the known world at that time and seeing many people come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. However, God had other plans for Paul. You may have had grand plans for your life, but then 2020 happened, and now you find yourself stuck or overwhelmed by the circumstances around you. Perhaps you’re not sure what tomorrow will bring, but glued to the news every day to see what’s going on that will cause more fear or stress. If this is you, this is just like what happened to Paul as he was sitting in that jail cell! The only way out is for a change of mindset to happen! How did Paul overcome his anxiety, fear, and stress? We can find the answer in Philippians chapter 2 when Paul decided to put on the same mindset and attitude as Jesus, and in Philippians chapter 4, he lays out the plan to do just that.

Today’s verse gives us a way to back joy and peace in stressful and anxious times. As I went through a season of anxiety in my own life, God showed me these verses and taught me how to restore my joy and peace in the midst of chaos, even when the circumstances hadn’t changed. However, let’s pick it up from verse 9. Here Paul basically says these things you’ve learned, heard, received, and seen in me, practice these things.

What things is Paul talking about? In verse 8, Paul shares we are to have a renewed mindset. Instead of thinking like the world, he says think about what is true, honorable, right, pure, or on anything worthy of praise. That’s not all Paul tells us to practice. He also shares that when we allow Jesus Christ, who is the Word made flesh, to guard our hearts and minds, we will experience a peace that surpasses all understanding. Have you ever known someone experiencing circumstances and issues that were crumbling all around them, yet they were filled with peace? How can they do that? Because they were able to filter everything through God’s Word. They trusted that even though life would still have its battles, they had the assurance the Lord was battling on their behalf and would keep them throughout their suffering and difficulties. They had a heavenly perspective!

Paul teaches us to practice what we allow ourselves to think about. Then, through His Word, we can allow Jesus to guard what is in our hearts and minds. Then, we can confidently go to the throne of God, not in anxiousness, but in prayer and supplication, humbly before God. We can let Him know our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs. In a gentle, not aggressive attitude, we can come to our heavenly Father rejoicing because we know who He is and that His will for us is good, perfect, and pleasing.

Pause: Read through Philippians, and look for the way Paul’s mindset changes to the mind of Christ. (Hint: Look carefully in Chapter 2.)

Practice: In Philippians 4:8, Paul tells us the best way to change our thoughts. He says to renew what we think. Here are some questions to help you when your thoughts begin to drift, creating anxiety, fear, and worry:

1. Whatever is true. Is this thought true? Is what you’re worried about factual or imagined? Is what this person said of you or your identity true according to God’s Word?
2. Whatever is honorable. Is this thought meaningful, and does it matter? Are you anxious over pettiness? Are your thoughts uplifting and valuable toward others and yourself?
3. Whatever is right. Are you meditating on God’s attributes and character? Do you consider Him your standard of what is right or wrong? Are your thoughts a result of a pursuit of righteousness, or are you trying to model your behavior by society and, as a result, feel anxious, weary, and confused? Is this standard you’ve created for yourself a holy one or one set by today’s culture?
4. Whatever is pure. Are your thoughts, creativity, and imagination free of sin? Are you filling your mind with movies, shows, books, or music that are sexual or impure? What are you allowing your eyes and ears to take in?
5. Whatever is lovely or worthy of praise. Are you consuming and pursuing things of beauty? Are you finding ways to take in God’s creation around you? Are your thoughts worthy of being written down or shared with others around you?

Write the answers to these questions to see where these anxious thoughts are getting through your armor.

Pray: Father, I praise You for You have given me your truth to combat thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that bring fear, chaos, and weariness. I’m glad I can come to You and be reminded that I can have peace even in times of uncertainty and life’s challenges by remembering Your character, who You are. Thank You for Your Word, which is truth, so I can renew my mind and change my negative and fearful mindset to the mind of Christ. Amen.