Stressed out – what to do about it

Stressed out – what to do about it.  Philippians 4.4-9 

Landing in Boston late last night (Saturday), I looked to find a church within walking distance of Harvard Square this morning.  Took me a while to find (on-line) a place where I might probably find like-minded worship—HighRock at Cambridge. 

When I left the boardinghouse on Sunday morning, I first procured some much-needed coffee at a Peet’s, and then used my phone navigation to take me on a rather circuitous route to find the location of the service.  As I walked, it was overcast, rather muggy and warm, but dry.  The service on the other hand was not at all dry.

Assuming a comfortable location in the worship space—toward the back of the rows of seating--I threw myself into the worship music, so glad to be ushered into the presence of God.  ‘Into the presence of God’, an outlandish claim?  Not at all.  For God inhabits the praises of his people, and is not afar off when we are singing to him.  That said, it seemed like I might have missed the memo that attendees were meant to be of Asian descent, but I did not notice any distinction once the service began.  I thought again of how beautiful Heaven will be, when people of all different tribes and tongues will join in praise to our King.

But it was the message that was a difference maker.  You see, just the other day, I had joined with two sweet friends to pray for another anxiety-filled friend—and it was Philippians chapter four which God brought to the fore.  Even while I was en route across the country yesterday, I had text-messaged her and admonished her to commit these verses to memory, so that they were there for here—always at the ready.  Yes, the same verses!

Check out Paul’s thoughts from prison: 

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your

gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”Philippians 4.4-9, New International Version

Whether you or someone you know suffers from chronic stress, we all must keep these principles in mind that Paul recommended.

Are you perpetually plagued by stress?  Apparently, you are not alone, as long-term, chronic stress is at epidemic proportions today.  While we think of stress as an environmental, psychological phenomenon, stress is actually a spiritual problem as well.  Yet Paul gave us the antidote in the aforementioned passage—Philippians 4.4-9. 

‘Oh sure,’ you say, ‘but Paul has no idea about the pressure I’m under!  Paul has no idea about the stressors I face on a daily basis—no idea of my heartache.’ 

Maybe not.  But Paul was in prison when he wrote, and he wrote to the Philippians who were also under threat of arrest on a daily basis if they spoke the name of Jesus.  So now, let’s talk about our anxiety—yours and mine . . . does it suddenly seem a whole lot more manageable as we entrust our lives to God?

Paul gave us the antidote to S-T-R-E-S-S in Philippians 4.4-9. 

1.     Rejoice in God.  Keep rejoicing in who Jesus is, in the greatness of God…  no matter the circumstances. ‘Again I say, Rejoice!’

2.    Pray to God.  Take everything to him, and pray about it.  There is nothing too big for God; but then, there is nothing to small for him either.  ‘And the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds as you trust in him.’

3.    Keep a right perspective.  Even as you are battling a situation or difficulty, choose to think right thoughts—whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, excellent or praiseworthy …think on such things.

4.  Practice these things.  In other words, do the right you know to do. Some time during the below-ground service, I noted that rain was running down the windowsills in rivulets.  No matter—whatever the circumstances, I knew that contentment was found in Jesus, and I can do all things through him!  Yes, you can read about that in the next verses--Philippians 4.11-13.