Are you worried? Has stress overcome your life? Paul shares some helpful ways to depend on God in overcoming our anxieties.

1. Finding Peace in a
World of Stress
Philippians 4:2-9

2. Are You Anxious?
• Over external
circumstances
– Politics
– Economics
– War
– Border Issues
– Famine, floods, natural
disasters
• Personal Issues
– Kids
– Marital Conflicts
– In-laws
– Personal Finances
– Job
– Education
– People at Work
– Health
• Issues/People at Church

3. The Philippians Were Anxious
• Paul’s imprisonment and
possible death.
• Epaphrodus’ illness
• Opposition to the gospel
from unbelievers: from
Jews and Gentiles
• Doctrinal factions within
Christianity: Legalists,
Libertines, those that
preach from bad will.
• Potential persecutions:
Tiberius the present ruler
with Nero coming.
• Personal disputes within
the body of Christ.

4. Paul’s Advice on Anxiety
I. When possible, deal with the cause of
anxiety
II. God is Bigger than the cause of your worry.
III. Transform Your Thinking

5. Philippians 4:2–9 (ESV)
I. When Possible, Deal With the Cause of
the Anxiety.
2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to
agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true
companion, help these women, who have
labored side by side with me in the gospel
together with Clement and the rest of my
fellow workers, whose names are in the book
of life.

6. II. God Is Bigger than the cause of your
worry.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say,
Rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to
everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be
anxious about anything, but in everything by
prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let
your requests be made known to God. 7 And
the peace of God, which surpasses all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your
minds in Christ Jesus.

7. III. Transform your thinking
8 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.
9 What you have learned and received and
heard and seen in me—practice these things,
and the God of peace will be with you.

8. WHEN POSSIBLE DEAL WITH THE
CAUSE OF THE WORRY Phil. 4:2-3

9. Deal With the problem causing anxiety
2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to
agree in the Lord.
– On top of all the problems from outside the church
they have a problem in the church.
• We might not be able to deal with all the issues causing
anxiety from outside the church.
• We can work on issues causing division in the church.
– Two good ladies are causing disunity and contention
in the Church.

11. Encourage believers to resolve conflict
• Personal issues can cause discord.
– Euodia – name means successful journey
– Syntyche – Happy, Lucky
• Paul doesn’t take sides. Impartial Instruction. “Entreat”
paracaleo, encourage.
• “agree in the Lord” – Christ’s example and for the sake
of the body of Christ.
– Philippians 2:2–4 2 complete my joy by being of the same
mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one
mind. 3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility
count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of
you look not only to his own interests, but also to the
interests of others.

12. Saints may need help from saints
3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these
women, who have labored side by side with me in
the gospel together with Clement and the rest of
my fellow workers, whose names are in the book
of life.
– These ladies are not enemies of the church.
• They have a history of doing good for Christ.
• They need encouragement and counseling to solve their issues.
– Their names are written in the book of life.
• Roman colonies had a registry of citizens.
• Phil. 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await
a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

13. GOD IS BIGGER THAN THE CAUSE
OF YOUR ANXIETY Philippians 4:4-7

14. Rejoice – Whatever your problem,
God is Bigger
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say,
Rejoice.
God is bigger than the squabbles causing internal
conflicts in the church.
Phil. 3:1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To
write the same things to you is no trouble to me and
is safe for you.
God is bigger than external opposition.

16. Be Patient With Everyone
5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.
The Lord is at hand;
– “Reasonableness” Fair, kindness, gentleness,
forbearance, patience. The opposite is a spirit of
contention, self-seeking, entitlements or rights.
– “The Lord is ‘near’” – A reference to the imminent return
of Christ.
– James 5:8–9 8 You also, be patient. Establish your
hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not
grumble against one another, brothers, so that you
may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at
the door.

17. Give Your Anxieties to God
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in
everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known to
God.
– “anything”
– “Prayer” – general term of communication with God
– “supplication” – making specific petitions
– “thanksgiving” – grateful acknowledgement of past
mercies
– “requests” – asking God

18. The Result of Prayer
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your
minds in Christ Jesus.
– Replace Worry with Prayer.
– Worry makes the problem causing the anxiety seem
even bigger than it is.
– Prayer focuses our heart and mind on the One that is
bigger than the problem causing our worry.

20. TRANSFORM YOUR THINKING
Philippians 4:8-9

21. Protect Your Thoughts
8 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.
– “whatever” – he leaves it to us
– “true” – valid, honest, reliable
– “Honorable” – worthy of respect
– “just” – fair, equitable
– “pure” – cleanness, moral purity

22. Protect Your Thoughts
8 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.
– “Lovely” – amiable, agreeable, pleasing
– “commendable” – praiseworthy because it measure
up to the highest standard
– What is excellent, worthy of praise? You decide, but
think of these things.

24. Follow Paul’s Example
9 What you have learned and received and
heard and seen in me—practice these things,
and the God of peace will be with you.
• Put it into practice.
– Paul Rejoiced in spite of hardship, Rejoice.
– Paul replaced worry with prayer, do the same.
– Paul transformed his thinking, transform yours.
– Result – The God of peace will give you peace.

25. May Your Anxieties be Few
and God’s Peace be With You
Always.