Introduction: I had a friend in Memphis named Jerry Metcalf, who worked next door at the Memphis Mental Health Clinic. He also worked with the juveniles we treated, worked as a chaplain for our juvenile correctional unit, and he was also the praise leader at his church. On top of that, Jerry and his wife had nine kids! That’s right – nine! A few years after we met, there was talk of closing down that facility where he had worked so many years, and I could see the worry starting to build a bit in his expression. But whenever I’d ask him if he was alright, he’d always respond the same way; “I’m too blessed to be stressed!” I like that – “Too blessed to be stressed.” He not only could say it; Jerry lived it every moment of every day!
With the outbreak of this strain of coronavirus, and the subsequent panic buying, fear, and uncertainty we’re seeing all around us, it can be a challenge not to allow our concerns to develop into full blown fear. In fact, the passage we’re looking at this morning gives us that as a command; “Be anxious for nothing.” So, how do we do that? How do we control anxiety and worry in the face of a real, actual threat such as this? How do we stay in touch with God to the point that we too can say, “I’m Too Blessed to Be Stressed?”
I. Prohibit the Anxiety. The command that Paul gives in this passage, in the first part of verse 6, is “Be anxious for nothing . . .” Looking at the Greek text, it literally says “for nothing be anxious.” The word here for anxious, (µe??µ??te), is also translated as “worry,” or “profound concern.” Actually, this is plural, so “do not have anxieties” – or “worries.” So why this command from Paul? Isn’t it appropriate to worry or experience a bit of anxiety when there is a genuine and real threat we’re facing? Facing a global pandemic like COVID-19, there are some very genuine reasons to be concerned and to take precautions.
A. Concerns v. Worry: But that’s just it: There’s a difference between legitimate concerns and unfounded worries. Concern about a problem, threat, or stressor leads us to take the matter into perspective and formulate a plan of action. Paul was “deeply concerned” for the progress of the gospel and condition of the individual churches he had founded, and at times, lost sleep over them (2 Cor. 11:28). Worry and anxiety on the other hand, are the results of “over-thinking” that problem, and then behaving based on our fears rather than in the proper perspective. Haven’t we seen that in the last couple of weeks? The panic buying, people reporting a case of the virus around every corner? That is the reaction to FEAR, not a reasonable perspective based on a legitimate concern. And it’s a bit ridiculous to boot! Jesus put it like this, “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” [Matt. 6:27 ESV]. The answer is implied – you can’t! Who would want to live a life controlled by fear and anxiety? There are people we treat who have conditions that are related to continual anxieties, fears, and phobias, and it is a very difficult existence. We don’t have to live in the grip of fear. [Illustration] I heard about a little boy who sat up one night all night long, worried about where the sun went. Finally, it dawned on him! (Ok, bad pun). Malachi 4:2 tells us, And unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings! Don’t fear; the One with healing in His wings will dawn on you!
B. A Quiet Head & Calm Heart: Reacting in fear with worry or anxiety is not only a bad way to make decisions, but it’s also a spiritual problem in which we doubt, fail to trust God, and look away from God and to our own abilities to deal with a problem. In a day and age in which believers were being martyred for their faith, both Paul and the Philippians knew what a very dark, harsh, and genuine threat surrounded them. And that is why Paul is giving this instruction. We need to have a quiet mind and a calm heart when dealing with a threatening situation, or when facing highly stressful life events.
II. Pray with Thanksgiving. Ok . . . so, don’t worry about anything, don’t be anxious about anything. But how? How exactly do we go about doing that? How do we keep a legitimate threat or concern from growing into anxiety, worry, or fear? That’s a lot easier said than done, especially when the threat is life & death. Paul follows this “do not” command with a couple of “do” commands to help us combat that fear, anxiety, and worry. The first of those is to “pray.” To calm our hearts, we need to seek God!
A. Pray. Paul follows that command of “do not be anxious in anything,” immediately with the first part of the solution: Prayer! But in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [Phil. 4:6b ESV]. Go back and look at the last five words of verse 5; For the Lord is near! We have a heavenly Father who is near and very much concerned about us and the problems we face. Listen to God’s wonderful invitation in 1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. [ESV]. That word “anxieties” in 1 Peter 5:7 is the same word Paul uses in verse 6 here. What a picture these verses paint: God who is near and ever watching, inviting us to bring those concerns, cares, and worries to Him, because He cares for us that deeply! He cares so deeply, that He invites us to lay our concerns on Him and let Him carry them a while.
[Illustration]: There was a man who was failing in his life. He was a salesman; he couldn’t sell anything, wore a shabby old suit, and he drove a rattle trap - dusty old car. And, his wife was faded and ugly, and his kids were flunking out of school. He lived on the wrong side of the tracks. This guy was the born loser. Then, one day, he changed—began to stand up straight, put a smile on his face, dressed up nice, driving a fine automobile. His kids were making super grades. His wife went to the beauty shop and got herself overhauled. And, he’s just radically changed. Somebody said, “What did you do?” He said, “Well, you remember how I used to fret all the time, used to worry all the time? It just sapped so much strength out of me I couldn’t do what I was supposed to do.” He said, “I’ve just quit worrying.” “Well, man, how’d you do that?” He said, “You know what I found? I found in our city, there’s a firm that has professional worriers, and what you do—you go down there, sometimes once a day, at least once a week, and you tell them all your problems, and you just give it to them, and they stay there and worry for you, and then you go out and do all you’re supposed to do, and they just stay there and worry so you’re not. You just—you just—hand it over to them.” That guy said, “Well, does it work?” He said, “Does it work? Look at me! Look at the change in my life.” He said, “That’s amazing. How much does that cost?” He said, “Two thousand dollars a week.” He said, “Good night! How you gonna pay for that?” “Oh,” he said, “that’s their worry.” It won’t cost you two grand a week to take your worries to the Lord! He is near; He is waiting and ready for us to bring our cares to Him!
B. With Thanksgiving: Paul doesn’t tell us just to pray, but to do so with “thanksgiving.” It reminds me of James’ instruction, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” [James 1:2 NKJV]. How do we have an attitude of gratitude when we’re facing some serious stuff? It’s all about faith; that calm and quiet assurance that God is near, God is involved, and God cares about us! There are some great examples in Scripture; one of my favorites involves the story of King Jehoshaphat. After a disastrous alliance with King Ahab in the north, Jehoshaphat returns to Jerusalem – followed by the armies of Israel’s enemies who surround Jerusalem. There are way, way too many of them – and far, far too few soldiers for Judah. Out numbered, out matched, and out resourced, the situation is dire. But then Jehoshaphat does the one thing he knows to do – he prays. He prays honestly; We are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” [2 Chron. 20:12b]. God responded by reassuring the people that this is His battle. But, look at God’s battle plan . . . God had them put the worship leaders out front. Not the archers, not any chariots, but the singers! Not an arrow was fired, not a sword was unsheathed . . . God took care of business while the people praised Him in song! What do you do when you don’t know what to do? You go to God in prayer! What a statement of faith; what profound evidence of maturity in a believer, that when facing a threat, problem, or situation that is beyond our ability, we turn to the Lord with joy, assurance, and thanksgiving! Prayer offered with thanksgiving brings that calm assurance.
C. What to Pray: In the midst of our current global issues with this pandemic, or with any other stressful, harassing, threatening, or difficult situation, let’s ask the question, “WHAT” should I pray for? Let me offer a couple of suggestions.
1. Wisdom: I’m reminded of Solomon’s request when God offered him anything he wanted. Faced with the overwhelming task of leading the massive nation that David had built up, he asked for wisdom. I think that’s a sound decision whenever we come up against anything that is overwhelming. James reminds us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” [James 1:5 NKJV]. As a pastor, therapist, and father, that is probably my biggest “supplication” I bring to my Father in heaven each day – the wisdom to have a calm and proper perspective. I ask God to fill my vessel with His wisdom, that I may then pour it out on others.
2. Peace: Then pray the promise found in v7 of our text. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. [Phil. 4:7 ESV]. In the midst of a challenge, threat, or difficult, pray for peace. Oh, not just any peace, but the peace of God – profoundly beyond our own understanding. How do you stop legitimate concerns from becoming worry and anxiety? How do you keep potential fears in check? Pray the peace of God that controls our hearts & minds! That beautiful provision of God’s amazing peace is the calm in the midst of the storm. I saw a meme on Facebook with a picture of Jesus walking on the water in the storm. The text said, “Keep your eyes on me, not on the storm.” YES! That’s the key: From our knees we look upward in the faith and trust of a little child, petitioning God for His peace in the midst of the storm – and He can, He will, and He promises to deliver! That peace beyond understanding is our assurance that God is indeed with us in our time of need.
III. Be Positive In your Thinking. Verse 7 mentions God’s provision of peace that will guard our heart and mind, which leads us to the next command that Paul gives. It’s about keeping our mind in check – allowing God’s peace that staying power to keep us from venturing into fear and worry. In verse 8, Paul tells the believers of Philippi some things to think about. The list is very positive, meant to elevate us to “count our blessings.” This is not the “power of positive thinking,” but genuine meditation on the blessings of God.
A. The List: Whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, worthy of praise – think about these things. [Illustration] In my office, there are a variety of artifacts from mission trips, various gifts, and framed photos, predominantly of my daughter. Everything there tells a story. Actual “stones” brought back from mission trips; “stones of remembrance” I call them, that lead me to think about the people with whom we shared Jesus – and the church members I took on the mission field. The pictures of my daughter; from her first to her most recent (a few dozen I must admit), remind me of the incredible blessing that is mine as her father. A picture behind my desk of my wife in her bridal gown – such a profound moment of joy. Everywhere I look, I see reminders of how much and how wonderfully God has blessed me over the years of my life. Just these simple things in my office remind me of the things on Paul’s list -and so much more! I sit here and fully realize – like my friend Jerry – I am TOOOO blessed to be stressed! The old hymn reminds us, “Count your blessings, name them one by one; count your blessings – see what God has done! You want to keep your mind at peace and from running with the fears that creep in? Dwell on the blessings of God.
B. Give It Some Thought: This term for “think,” ??????µa?, is more than just a passing thought. According to the Lexham Theological Wordbook, “In classical usage, the term referred to the act of logical deliberation and the conclusion drawn from it.” The term means to calculate and measure carefully – in order to come to a correct and supported conclusion. Some versions substitute the words “dwell,” or “meditate.” That’s the idea: Serous, deliberate contemplation. When our mind is guarded by God’s peace in Christ Jesus, we’re able to look at a threat, difficulty, or challenge in a new perspective. That helps us to NOT panic, and NOT become anxious.
Conclusion: So, I want to leave you with some bad news and some good news – which do you want first? Okay, the bad news: We cannot control the evils and horrors of this world. They are a part of this sin-corrupted planet, and we are subject to the man-made evils that exist here. Now for the good news! This is not our home – we’re just “a passin’ through,” as the old gospel song says. Jesus reminded us of this in John 16:33, “In the world, you will have tribulation.” We are not exempt from the bad stuff in this world. We are in the world, but not of it. And yet, God is with us in this place where sin abides. Oh, but let’s not just look at the end of the verse, but the beginning as well; Jesus tells us some of the same things that Paul does here. John 16:33 begins like this; These things I have spoken to you that in Me you may have peace. [John 16:33 NKJV]. Yes, there are trials and tribulations in the world. Yes, there are conflicts, challenges, threats, and stressful situations in this world too. But in Jesus, there is peace! Peace that passes understanding; that glorious promise of peace from the One who can still the Storm! Are you too blessed to be stressed? Let’s pray together.
Father, like your servant Jehoshaphat, we look out at an overwhelming situation in our world; far too big for us to handle on our own. Indeed – we don’t know what to do, so we turn to you. Help us not to allow fear, worry, and anxiety to reign in our hearts and minds. Bless us with a measure of your wisdom to see us through the decisions we make for today. Help us to face the challenges before us with Your perspective. Let your promise of a peace that passes understanding fill us, saturate us, and flow from us. In this world of panic that surrounds us, let us be the light on the hill – that light that attracts others to a saving knowledge of Jesus. So that they too might know your peace, your blessed assurance, not only from the virus at hand, but from the very flames of eternal hell. In Jesus name, Amen.
