Sermon Series: Jesus-Everything We Need 

Stressed Out or Stress Out? 

Philippians 4:4-7 

CBC Bishop-August 17, 2003

In a nutshell: Jesus wants us to have the kind of peace that sets us apart from others in the world. In fact, He wants us to have a peace that amazes the world. He wants His peace in us to be a testimony of His reality and His power.

I. Introduction

A. A couple of jokes

1. Several years ago one of the astronauts who walked on the moon was interviewed and asked the question…, "What did you think about as you stood on the moon and looked back at the earth?" The astronaut replied, "I thought about how every part of the spacecraft that was supposed to get me home, was built by the lowest bidder."

2. Did you hear the story about the man who was always worrying? He worried about his job, his children, his wife, his health, and every other part of his life that he could think about at any given time during the day. But one day a friend of this man noted that his friend the "worrier" was extremely calm and peaceful.

"Why are you so calm?, he asked. "You always worry about every-thing. What happened?"

The former worrier replied, "I just hired a man to do my worrying for me."

"Well, how much are you paying him?" His friend inquired.

"A thousand dollars a week," the man replied.

"A thousand a week? You can't afford a thousand dollars a week."

The worrier replied, "That's his problem, now!"

B. People are stressed today

We live in a world of stressed out, worried-filled people. -When I was a child, and my parents wanted to go out together without us kids, mom just called anyone of a number of high school-aged girls in our community and made arrangements for someone to come over and baby sit my brothers and me. It was no big deal. -When our daughter Jori was young and Diane and I wanted to go out, we'd call up one of the girls or guys from our high school or college class at church and ask them to baby sit our daughter. We had a lot of options and we never were concerned about it. We just wanted someone who would enjoy being with our daughter. -But when our daughter Jori was in high school, young parents were building up stress about getting babysitters. They wanted their babysitters to be able to handle medical emergencies, and possible disasters. So our daughter had to take a Red Cross sponsored "baby sitting course" to learn CPR, and what to do in case of an extreme emergency. -Then when we lived in Palm Springs, baby sitting had escalated into a major stress producer for many of our young parents. In fact, there was a number of young parents in our church who would hardly ever go out to social gatherings or events without their children, because their criteria for baby sitters had gone way beyond the realm of possibility. Not only did they want their babysitters CPR certified, and emergency prepared, they also wanted them fingerprinted and registered with the police department, because they feared that their children might be kidnapped while they were out. I once told one of our staff pastors jokingly, "Lighten up. I know your kids. No one else would want them."

Let's face it, we're living in an age of anxiety. -Today we talk about "burnout" like it's as common as the flu. -I read a statistic this week from the Harvard Business Review that said that between 60 and 90% of all doctor office visits today are made because of "stress-related symptoms." -There are more cases involving emotional disorders based on stress and anxiety, in our court system than ever before. -And Americans are collectively taking more than 33 billion aspirin every year to help relieve the symptoms of stress and worry.

What can we do about stress, worry and anxiety in our lives. Do we have to be stressed out, or is there a way to get the stress out? In fact, as long as we're studying the book of Philippians…, is Jesus really everything we need to help us get stress out of our lives?

Well, in the four short verses we're going to look at today from Philippians 4, the apostle Paul gives us a prescription for getting rid of stress. Just like a doctor orders specific things for us to do or take in order for healing to take place in our bodies, Paul gives us a prescription for specific things to do to get the stress out of our lives. In fact, he gives us a plan of four specific things to do. That's what I want to show you this morning. So, turn with me, please, to Philippians 4. And today we'll start reading at verse 4…

II. RX for Getting the Stress Out

A. Rejoice More

Philippians 4:4 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

The first part of the prescription is to rejoice more.

Did you know that God wants everyone of us to have joy? Now in my experience with people, I've discovered that not everyone believes this. In fact, some people view God as a spoilsport. They see him as a crotchety old man, watching from a throne room in heaven, just waiting for human beings to make a mistake so He can smack them down. Don't laugh. A lot of people see God as someone who tries to keep people from having fun.

But this just dead wrong! It just one of a whole lot of wrong views about God. But this shouldn't surprise us. Because most people, haven't examined the Bible, where God reveals who He is. And therefore they don't have a proper understanding of the true God.

Illustration: I remember hearing the Christian author, Philip Yancey say, that whenever someone came up to him and stated, "I don't believe in God!" that he would reply, "Tell me what kind of God you don't believe in; I probably don't believe in that kind of God either."

Well, we know from the Bible that the Lord Jesus wants us to have joy.

John 15:11 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

This verse is saying that He hasn't come to take away our joy, but give it to us in the fullest capacity.

In another place in the New Testament, Jesus said that He came to give us an abundant life. In other words, He didn't come to give us the capacity to merely exist. He came to give us life that is full and overflowing with a whole lot of good-and that includes joy. That's what the Bible teaches about God.

Now, look again at verse 4. Paul says to rejoice always. Always? Is that possible? How can we possibly do that?

Well, if he means that we are supposed to rejoice for everything that happens to us, I'll be honest with you…that's impossible. Fortunately, that's not what he is saying. In another verse in the New Testament, Paul writes…

1 Thessalonians 5:18 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Now, notice…Paul says we're to give thanks IN all circumstances, not give thanks for all circumstances. There is a big difference.

Illustration: When we were going through the process of buying our new modular home in the Highlands, we had to get a loan for a portion of the cost. It was the smallest amount of a home loan we have ever borrowed in our lives. Our credit is very good, we were pre-approved, and you'd think the entire process would sail along with no problems. Right? WRONG!

There were slip-ups and mis-cues and mis-communications and scheduling difficulties and internal loan company procedural changes that caused the process to drag on for almost 5 months. It was a major headache. Terry Parks over at Inyo-Mono title said it was one of the most difficult closings she's ever had to do.

Now, do you think God wanted us to thank Him for all the hassles and inconveniences and general mayhem that we were forced to go through to get that loan? According to scripture, I don't think so. What I learned was that in spite of those circumstances with our loan, we weren't homeless during that time-we had a place to live, we were allowed to move into the home before the loan closed escrow, and we have great neighbors. And for those good things in the midst of a bad situation, I could be grateful. I believe one of the key lessons God wanted to teach me was that in every bad situation there is something for which we can be grateful.

We can always be thankful for God's mercy, for His grace, for His love, and for His perfect plan in every situation. In reality, we are blessed beyond what we realize. We just have to look around us and be aware of what those blessings are. The old song that a lot of us grew up singing in church, is so true… Count your blessings, name them one by one Count your blessings, see what God has done.

Nehemiah 8:10b 10b Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

That verse is telling us that as you begin to rejoice, you will begin to be encouraged and gain strength to move on, despite your circumstances. Remember, there is always something in which you can rejoice. So, the first part of the prescription from stress is to rejoice more.

B. Become Gentle

The second part of the prescription is found in verse 5…

Philippians 4:5 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

The second thing we must do is become gentle. Our gentleness should be evident to everyone who observes our lives. But what is gentleness?

The word in the Greek is ep-ee-i-kace'. It's one of those words that's hard to translate into just one English word. It literally means to be willing to give up your personal rights and show consideration to another. What Paul's talking about isn't something that involves weakness or being a "push-over". In fact, gentleness is a characteristic of strength. It takes a very strong person to really be gentle.

If you consider how Jesus would act if He were in that same situation that you find yourself in, and you act accordingly, then that's being gentle.

Illustration: Obviously, I'm a big guy. And in some situations, my size can be intimidating to people. I know from the past, I can manipulate situations just by being big. But in all my years, I've never been able to accomplish anything significant for God through intimidation. But gentleness has always helped me effectively communicate God's truth to others.

The apostle Paul wrote to the young pastor, Timothy…

2 Timothy 2:24-25 24 And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,

You can never argue people or intimidate people into heaven, or into believing the truth. Jesus never tried to do this. He simply stated the truth and left it with the people. If they believed it, fine. If they didn't, He wouldn't shout it a little louder; or pound his fist on the table. He simply let them think about it.

This is something very practical that we're talking about. This message is on relieving stress, not adding to it. And when you argue, all you do is escalate the stress.

Proverbs 15:1 1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Remember, becoming more and more gentle in how we interact with people, reflects the character of Jesus. And becoming like Jesus must be the goal for every one of us. That's our calling as His followers. When the world looks at us, we want them to see something of Jesus Christ in our lives.

C. Don't be anxious about anything

The third part of the prescription for relieving stress in our lives is found in the first part of verse 6…

Philippians 4:6 6 Do not be anxious about anything,

Don't be anxious about anything. That almost sounds impossible, doesn't it?

Illustration: It reminds me of the Peanuts cartoon where Charlie Brown and Linus are sitting around talking. And Charlie Brown says to Linus, "I worry about school a lot." Then after thinking a little longer, he says, "I worry about worrying so much about school." Then thinking a little longer he concludes, "My anxieties have anxieties!"

Maybe you can identify with Charlie Brown. We all have anxieties. Diane and I just came out of a major anxiety time with our house closing. I wonder what's going to be next?

What are you anxious about? People worry about a lot of things. They worry about their jobs. They worry about money. They worry about their marriages. They worry about their children. They worry about the past, the present, and the future. They worry about paying their bills. They worry about their investments. They worry about their retirement. They worry about their health.

But what good does worry do? After 5 months of worrying about our house, I discovered it didn't do any good. In fact, all it did was produce bad stuff…I couldn't sleep, I got chest pains, I got angry at people, and I quarreled with my wife. Worry isn't a friend to anyone. The truth is that for the most part, you can't change the things about which you worry. So in reality, all that effort and energy is wasted. Jesus said…

Matthew 6:25 25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?

Take it from my experience with our house loan…and I had to learn and re-learn this lesson...The real antidote to worry is simple trust in God. God loves you. God is in control. God wants the best for you. You can trust him with any part of your life and you can trust Him with everyone of your fears. So why worry? The ability to NOT BE ANXIOUS comes from an ever increasing trust in God's love for you!

D. Develop a Lifestyle of Prayer

For the fourth part of this prescription for stress free living, look at the second part of verse 6…

Philippians 4:6b 6b …but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

I call this fourth part of the prescription, Develop a lifestyle of prayer. I'm convinced that this is the cornerstone to reducing stress in our lives-Take the time you would spend worrying and spend that time praying. When times of concern come in your life, worry should stand in line and take a number, because you're too busy praying.

In the last part of verse 6, we're told to pray about everything. In other words, we are never bothering God with things that are too small for Him to be concerned about.

1 Peter 5:7 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Friends, the way you cast your anxieties on Him is by prayer. It's through prayer that we get the burdens off our backs and down on the ground at Jesus' feet, where they belong.

But folks, let me tell you, prayer can't be reserved just for times when problems crop up in your life. Prayer needs to be an ongoing process. It must be the first thing we do, not the last thing we do. Like Corrie ten Boom once asked, (front of worship folders)…Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire? (Corrie ten Boom)

James 4:2b 2b You do not have, because you do not ask God.

I'm convinced that the reason many of us are stressed out is because we don't ask God for what we need. The bottom line is we need to ask. And we need to keep asking until our prayers are answered, either by a no or by a yes. Remember, there is nothing too big for God to handle or too small for you to pray about.

III. Conclusion

A. Paul like a doctor

Now, you know that when you take a prescription from a doctor, there should be some results, right?.

Illustration: Last December, I had a severe kidney infection. At one point I thought I was cured. Then I had a relapse. The infection started to cause my fever to spike and I had uncontrollable shakes. We recognized the signs and immediately went to the Kaiser Urgent Care facility in Palm Springs. There the doctor prescribed a very powerful anti-biotic. He told me how much of the medicine to take and what the results would be if I took the pills as he prescribed-he told me my fever would go down, the shakes would stop, and the infection would be arrested. And it was!

Well, I've been trying to portray the apostle Paul like a doctor this morning. Because he's given us the prescription for getting much of the stress out of our lives: 1. Rejoice more; 2. Become Gentle; 3. Don't be anxious about anything; 4. and Develop a lifestyle of prayer

B. What can we expect?

So the logical question is, "What can we expect as the result of taking that prescription?" For the answer, look at verse 7…

Philippians 4:7 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The promised result is peace. And folks peace is a rare thing in our world. We live in a world of turmoil. All you need to do is watch the nightly news, or listen to the news report on the radio, or read a newspaper. Bad stuff is happening every day. It happens everywhere. It happens right here in Bishop or Chalfant or Big Pine. It happens to people we know. And it even happens to us.

But if you're a follower of Jesus Christ, there is a promise of peace in the midst of turmoil. It is a peace that transcends all understanding. It is a peace that enables us to rise above the circumstances that cause stress in our lives. Listen to the words of Jesus in…

John 14:27 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Jesus wants us to have the kind of peace that sets us apart from others in the world. In fact, He wants us to have a peace that amazes the world. He wants His peace in us to be a testimony of His reality and His power.

And we are also told in verse 7 of Philippians 4, that this supernatural peace will guard our hearts and our minds.

The word translated "guard" is a military term. It means to set up a defense force around something. In other words, God's peace will protect our hearts and minds from stress and worry, like a battalion of soldiers protects an army's vital resources

Listen friends, God wants you to have exactly the opposite of the stress filled life that so many people have today. You can become much more stress free by following the prescription that the apostle Paul gives us today: -rejoice more, -become gentle, -be anxious about nothing, and -develop a prayerful lifestyle.

Amen.