Philippians 4:5-7 “Seeking Peace In A World Falling Apart”

Philippians 4:5-7   “Seeking Peace In A World Falling Apart”

It seems like the world is falling apart. Bombings and terrorist shootings. Protest over police shootings. Troubled relationships, lost jobs, physical limitations, faltering retirement accounts, dogs and cats living together! Anxiety is killing us and taking our joy. How in such a troubled world or troubled life can we find joy and peace again?

1.       We all face anxiety, worry, from time to time.
a. Abram Gen 15:2-3 Abram worried
b. Moses worried Exodus 4:10-17
c. spies brought a bad report Numbers 13:31-33
d. Elijah is overcome by anxiety 1 Kings 18:38-40 19:1-4
e. It is nothing new.

2.       The substitute for anxiety
a. Put something else in anxiety’s place. (but in everything)
b. the idol mind wonders to anxiety

3.       Prayer and Petition
a. equal time prayer
b. plead with God
c. start a petition to God

4.       With Thanksgiving
a. thanksgiving for what God has done
b. remembering the power of God.
c. thanksgiving for what He will do
d. James 1:6-8 ask with confidence in God.

5.       Anxiety is replaced with
a. a peace we cannot understand
b. a guard for our hearts.
c. Romans 8:37-39

If we are to overcome anxiety we need to replace it with prayer and thanksgiving. We must remember the power of God in the past. If we do this, somewhere in the conversation anxiety is overcome by faith, and we will find peace.