F. Wayne Mac Leod - Overcoming Anxiety

A Study of Philippians4:5-7

F. Wayne Mac Leod

LIGHT TO MY PATH BOOKDISTRIBUTION

Smashwords Edition

www.ltmp.ca

Copyright 2014 by F.Wayne Mac Leod

Smashwords Edition,License Notes

This ebook is licencesfor personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or givenaway to other people. If you would like to share this book withanother person, please purchase an additional copy for eachrecipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, orit was not purchased for your use only, then please return to yourfavorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thanks forrespecting the hard work of this author.

Unless otherwiseindicated, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible,English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, adivision of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rightsreserved.

Proof Readers: LeeTuson, Diane Mac Leod

This is a study ofPhilippians 4:5-7 on the subject of anxiety. In its positive form,anxiety motivates us in service and draws us to the Lord forstrength and peace. At the same time, however, if unchecked, it canalso strip us of our joy and destroy us emotionally, spirituallyand physically.

The apostle Paulknew what anxiety was about. He suffered greatly for the cause ofChrist and bore a continual burden on his heart for the well-beingof believers in the churches where he ministered. In Philippians4:5-7, the apostle gives some basic principles for dealing with theanxiety that comes into our life.

I am not sharinganything new in this study. My goal is simply to reflect on whatthe apostle, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, has to teach usabout an experience that is common to us all. It would be easy tomiss what Paul has to tell us here, but in these few short verses,the apostle provides for us Gods solution to this problem ofanxiety we all share.

My prayer is thatthe Lord would open up these verses in a fresh way for each reader.I trust that as you read, consider and pray, you will be encouragedand strengthened in your faith. The principles laid out in thisstudy are not minethey come from the Lord God Himself as Herevealed them to Paul. For this reason alone they are powerful. Itrust that the Spirit of God, who inspired these words in Paul,will also apply them to your situation so that you will experiencethe peace the passes all under-standing that Paul speaks about inthis passage.

I wish you Godsblessing as you embark on this brief study.

F. Wayne MacLeod

5b The Lord isat hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything byprayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be madeknown to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses allunderstanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in ChristJesus. (Philippians 4:5-7)

Before we beginthis study of Philippians 4:5-7, lets take a moment to considerthe context. The words were written to the church in Philippi.These were difficult days for Christians. The apostle Paul was inprison for preaching the gospel. He did not know when or if hewould ever get out. The church in Philippi had a deep concern forhim. They had stood behind him in his missionary work and now inhis suffering. Writing in Philippians 1:3-5 the apostle says:

3 I thank myGod in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of minefor you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of yourpartnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

The Philippianchurch was continually on the apostles heart and in his prayers.This church had partnered with him in the gospel. Paul experiencedthis relationship with the Philippians not only in the good timesbut also in the difficult times. Even in his imprisonment thischurch stood firmly behind him.

In Philippians1:12-18 Paul reminded the Philippians that in these difficulttimes, the Lord was powerfully at work. His imprisonment had causedmany to take up the challenge of preaching the gospel. Paulsexample had inspired others. He also told the Philippians that hisimprisonment had resulted in some of the guards coming to know thetruth of Jesus Christ. In his trial Paul was experiencing thepresence of the Lord and His power at work in him.

Admittedly, thepain and suffering Paul endured caused him to long for heaven. Hewondered what would happen to him in prison and whether he would bekilled for his faith in Jesus. Reflecting on this in Philippians1:19-30, Paul reminded the believers, however, that he had nothingto fear. In fact, if he died, it would be far better for he wouldbe in the presence of the Lord Jesus whom he loved (Philippians1:23). If he stayed and faced the suffering of this life, he knewthe Lords presence and power would be with him to advance thePhilippians in their faith. Whether in life or in death, God wouldnot abandon him. In this he had great cause for hope andrejoicing.

Paul knew that thePhilippian believers also faced difficulty and struggle. It was noteasy to be a Christian in those days. Paul points them to the LordJesus in Philippians 2:1-11. He reminds the church of how the LordJesus, though He was God, willingly laid down His life for them. Hesuffered and died on the cross so that they could be forgiven.While men took His life, Jesus rose from the dead and now has aname that is greater than any other name. Death could not defeatHim. Through His death and resurrection, many would know life.Through His suffering many would have victory.

From his owntestimony in chapter 1 and the example of Jesus in Philippians2:1-11, Paul moves on to the example of Timothy and Epaphroditus inPhilippians 2:19-30. These men, too, were experiencing wonderfulvictory in the midst of suffering. In an age where many were onlyseeking their own interests, Timothy proved that he was a trueservant by selflessly ministering to needs of others at his ownexpense. In this he demonstrated the spirit of Christ. Epaphrodituswas sick and almost died, risking his life for the work of Christ(Philippians 2:27-30). Paul reminds the Philippians that God hadmercy on Epaphroditus and spared his life so he could continue inservice of the kingdom. The presence of God was evident in thesetwo faithful servants who sacrificed and suffered much for thecause of their Lord.

Paul was awarethat one of the struggles facing the church of Philippi camethrough false teachers circulating among them. These false teacherswere trying to pervert the message of the Gospel. Paul challengedthe church to resist these man and their lies. They were turningthem away from Christ and the truth of the Gospel. Paul remindedthe Philippians that he would willingly lose everything in thisworld if in the process he could know Christ and be found in Him(Philippians 3:8-10). Nothing in life compared to Christ. No painor suffering could erase the joy of experiencing Christ. No otherphilosophy or doctrine could be compared to the truth He found inJesus. Christ was his hearts greatest delight. To this end, hecommitted himself to strain toward the goal of knowing Christ(Philippians 3:14).

In the midst ofall the struggles and trials of life, Paul experienced the presenceand power of God at work in him. Epaphroditus demonstrated thereality of God in his sickness. Timothy joyfully exemplified thesacrificial heart and concern of God for the Philippians in what hesuffered for them. There was something in the presence of God thatwas greater than all the sufferings and pains of life. Through Hisimprisonment, Paul knew the joy of the Lord. As he faced thethought of death, Paul felt only peace and joy knowing he would bein the presence of the One who loved him. Death could not defeatour Lord. He rose victorious over it. What He endured broughtsalvation and forgiveness for all who would receive it. Paulsimprisonment, as difficult as, served to advance the kingdom ofGod. In all these examples there is wonderful victory and hope inChrist.