“Be Anxious for Nothing”

1. “Be Anxious for Nothing” Philippians 4:4-9

2. How we think influences our emotions • Proverbs 12:25 “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.” • Proverbs 17:22 “A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.” • Mark 14:72 “A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times." And when he thought about it, he wept.”

3. We have control over our thoughts! • Ephesians 4:17-24, The Gentiles walked about with useless thoughts. • Isaiah 55:6-7, Forsake unrighteous thoughts and seek the Lord • Jeremiah 4:14, Do not hold onto wicked thoughts! • Mark 12:29-30, Love the Lord with all your mind! • 1Peter 1:13-16, We are to prepare our minds so as to conduct ourselves in a holy manner.

4. Changing the way we think • Proverbs 12:25 “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.” • Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus instructs for us not to worry about our livelihood.

5. How to overcome anxiety, Philippians 4:4-8 • Choose to rejoice! • Acts 5:40-41, Notice how the apostles dealt with their beating! • 1Peter 4:12-14, Christians are encouraged to endure suffering for Christ’s sake. • Luke 6:22-23, You are in good company!

6. How to overcome anxiety, Philippians 4:4-8 • Go to God in prayer! • Psalm 35:4-8, God will support you! • Psalm 55:1-3, 22, Tell God about your needs.

7. Meditate on whatever things are “true”, Philippians 4:8 G227 ἀληθής alēthēs al-ay-thace' From G1 (as a negative particle) and G2990; true (as not concealing): - true, truly, truth. - Strong’s

8. Meditate on whatever things are “honest or noble”, Phil 4:8 G4586 σεμνός semnos sem-nos' From G4576; venerable, that is, honorable: - grave, honest. - Strong’s

9. Meditate on whatever things are “just”, Philippians 4:8 G1342 δίκαιος dikaios dik'-ah-yos From G1349; equitable (in character or act); by implication innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively): - just, meet, right (-eous). - Strong’s

10. Meditate on whatever things are “pure”, Philippians 4:8 G53 ἁγνός hagnos hag-nos' From the same as G40; properly clean, that is, (figuratively) innocent, modest, perfect: - chaste,clean, pure. Strong’s

11. Meditate on whatever things are “pure”, Philippians 4:8 • 1 John 3:3 “And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” • James 3:17 “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.” • Titus 1:15 “To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.”

12. Meditate on whatever things are “lovely”, Philippians 4:8 G4375 προσφιλής prosphilēs pros-fee-lace' From a presumed compound of G4314 and G5368; friendly towards, that is, acceptable: - lovely. - Strong’s

13. Meditate on whatever things are “of good report”, Phil 4:8 G2163 εὔφημος euphēmos yoo'-fay-mos From G2095 and G5345; well spoken of, that is, reputable: - of good report. - Strong’s

14. Meditate on “any virtue”, Philippians 4:8 G703 ἀρέτη aretē ar-et'-ay From the same as G730; properly manliness (valor), that is, excellence (intrinsic or attributed): - praise, virtue. - Strong’s

15. Meditate on “anything praiseworthy”, Philippians 4:8 G1868 ἔπαινος epainos ep'-ahee-nos From G1909 and the base of G134; laudation; concretely a commendable thing: - praise. - Strong’s

16. Conclusion • Psalm 94:19, When anxieties multiply… God can bring comfort to our soul! • Isaiah 26:1b-4, A mind set steadfast on God gains peace.

17. Conclusion • God teaches that we have control over our thoughts. • God teaches us what to mediate upon… • We are not to be anxious. • Change your way of thinking. • Pray (Tell God about your needs). • What we focus our minds on influences the emotions with which we react. • Let us CHOOSE to rejoice!!