Prayers for the Journey, Part Two: High Anxiety
08/09/09
Pastor Marji
Miller
We are still getting ready for the journey. Whatever kind of journey it turns out to be. Like we said last week, in a few months we are, again, going to have to make a decision about the lease. Do we spend another six months here at Quinta Ct., or do we go? Lots to think about, because - we agreed - it’s a huge decision.
Then we said there’s a much bigger decision to make. And this isn’t one the Leadership Council can make for us. Each of us will have to decide for ourselves the issue of what we will do when we get to that new neighborhood, or if we never do. Because wherever we are, individually, or as a church, we are in mission.
There is a story of two business men who were flying to a conference overseas. The small plane they were in developed engine problems and they had to crash land on a deserted island. One of the men began to cry that he would never get to see his kids grow up and never tell his wife how much he loved her. The other man simply leaned against a palm tree and fell asleep. His friend woke him up: “How can you sleep? Don’t you care that we are going to die on this island?” High Anxiety. At this the calm companion said, “I am not worried at all. I make $1,000,000 a year.” “Are you crazy?? Your money isn’t going to do you any good here! There’s no food, no water.” “It will make a difference. I make $1,000,000 a year and I always give ten percent to my church. My pastor will find me!”
There’s a stereotype out there that all pastor’s think about and talk about is money. That’s not true. Pastors talk about lots and lots of things, and most pastors don’t talk about money nearly as much as they should. But, since, for so many people, the talking in church about money is about as much fun as going to the dentist –our money, our possessions, our wealth are all sacred cows to us, and we don’t like it when people touch them or examine them – why do we need to talk so much about it? Because Jesus did!! The prophets did, the early church leaders did, the writings that are so old we don’t know who wrote them, all found their way into our Bible, and they all talk about money. And what it buys.
Some pastors have stronger feelings about money, and its use, than others. I work at a bank 40 hours a week, and I see how the wrong actions and beliefs about money can mess people up, and how those beliefs and actions make non-believers wonder about Christianity, and Jesus! Greed and out-of-control consumption paint an ugly picture. I see this every day, so, this pastor has very strong beliefs about money. And, I absolutely believe, as we get ready for the next stage of our journey, whether we have a physical journey or not, we need, in the words of Rick Warren, to “settle the issue of money in our lives.”
So, let’s talk about anxiety. Did I make a jump that lost you? What do you think more people experience anxiety about than anything else? We worry about health, relationships, success, whether someone we love will come to be part of God’s plan, but all these are dwarfed by our constant preoccupation with money and what it buys. The religion of western culture is consumerism. And we are all practitioners. High Anxiety.
The majority of the world's resources pour into the United States. And as we – Americans - grow more and more wealthy, money is becoming a kind of narcotic for us. We have good intentions, but we have invested our lives in consumerism. We have a love affair with "more" -- and we will never have enough. Consumerism is not simply a marketing strategy. It has become a demonic spiritual force, and the theological question facing us is whether Jesus gives us enough power to stand up to it. And if so, how? Today we’re going to look at those two questions.
Let’s go back about 2000 years, to the church at Philippi. The Philippian congregation had sent gifts of money to the apostle Paul. He had planted their church ten years before, and once the church was established he went on. By the time of our letter, Paul had gone all around the northeastern Mediterranean, had ended up in prison in Palestine and been sent to Rome to stand trial before Caesar. It seems likely he wrote the letter to the Philippians from Rome while in jail.
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. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
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.
I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:4-13 TNIV
Let’s look at this. Paul began with “rejoice!” And he wrote it twice, so he’s serious This isn’t a platitude. But, this is important: even Paul did not rejoice in the Lord for all circumstances. For instance, we don't rejoice for death – certainly those of us who love June don’t rejoice that she isn’t with us anymore. We don’t rejoice for pain or divorce or cancer or job loss or recession. But, we rejoice in these tough, painful circumstances. Our joy, our rejoicing, is that we’re on Jesus’ team. He gives us his peace, his help in temptation, his presence in the middle of whatever happens. And we know his kingdom is somehow here and will come more visibly, more powerfully. Soon! That is our joy!
Then we come to a key point for today’s message: Do not be anxious about anything. There you have it - God's Anxiety Reduction Plan, right from the Bible. This is a command. Do not be anxious about anything. And Paul wasn’t alone. Three times in Matthew six, Jesus ordered, “Do not worry.” [vv. 25, 31, 34] Hmmmm…
Paul continued, “by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” I ran across entire sermons distinguishing these three words – “requests,” “prayers” and “petitions, ” but there isn’t much of a distinction in the Greek between the words for “requests” “prayers” and “petitions! Don’t read too much into this. Paul wasn’t giving them instructions on three different kinds of prayer. He was saying, “Admit your dependence on God.”
Then we come to a promise. And it’s a good one. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Peace. …transcends all understanding means, beyond our ability to understand, yes, but also gets us beyond our current understanding : to a new one. It helps us understand there is Someone higher than ourselves. Guarding my heart and my mind. I could go for that. BUT, the peace comes as a result of the dependence. I don’t like that part so much. I want the peace, without the dependence.
Then, whatever is noble, whatever is right, and so on… This is usually interpreted as having something to do with sexual thoughts, don’t read pornography or watch those videos. Don’t, but that is so far out of context here! Sandwiched between Do not be anxious about anything and I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances, it’s hard to see how it could be about anything other than money and its uses. If Paul were talking today he’d be talking to us about listening to all the advertisers who tell us we deserve bigger, faster, newer, flashier. Guard your thoughts from that poison, Paul would say.
Paul was appreciative of the gift the Philippians had sent, but he essentially said, “Thanks for the gift, but even if it hadn’t come I would have been OK, because I have learned to be content in all things.”
Finally, Paul wrote: I can do all this through him who gives me strength. When Paul says he can do all things through Christ does he literally mean all things? Does that mean he could swim across the Mediterranean? Could Richard become a ballet dancer or Joan a professional football player if they work really hard and believe? No, he isn’t saying we can literally do all things. Paul is saying; “I can do all things in Christ that He wants me to do – for his work.” I can become more and more like him. I can work for the Kingdom. Live with less stuff so other can have more.
Paul was happiest that their priorities were right. Verse 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. Philippians 4:17 TNIV And he continued about their gifts: They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. Philippians 4:18 TNIV. Paul was saying he didn’t need to receive the gift nearly as much as they needed to give the gift. Bring that forward 2000 years and we have: Valley Grace, our church doesn’t need to receive our gifts nearly as much as we need to give them!! The Red Cross doesn’t need your gifts as much as you need to give them. World Vision. The Salvation Army. World Gospel Mission.
Are our priorities right? And if not, can God give us the power to stand up to the religion of the 21st century? Can we stand up to the addiction to More? I believe we can.
I’ve never liked the word Contentment. Is there still Carnation evaporated milk? Remember the old Carnation slogan about contented cows? Remember those cows? Vacant stare, mind numbingly endless chewing. Contented. That’s NOT the kind of contentment Paul was writing about!!
For Paul, contentment comes from a complete readiness to accept whatever God gives. No distinction between the necessary and the extravagant. The contented person accepts abundance - and want - as part of life. The contended knows everything is a gift. God provides lavishly for his creation, enough for everyone if we share. And that is how he planned it, and fighting his will doesn’t bring contentment. The contented person knows that dependence on the power of God is the only real freedom!! The contented person is FREE!
Jesus described freedom
“So don’t worry about these things..”
Paul described freedom:
“Do not be anxious about anything, …”
Paul was content. Period. He was free! Whether he had a lot or little he was free. Whether he was shipwrecked or stoned – not drugs, remember those contented cows? They always looked a little too relaxed… No, this kind of stoned was people throwing rocks at him - stoned to within inches of his life. Even then, Paul was free. Whether he was living in a home or a dirty prison cell chained to a guard, he had low anxiety. Why? Because Jesus was all that mattered. Paul’s attitude was, “You can take away the house, the car, cell phones, vacations, eating out, high paying jobs and the Internet. I can live on the street, dumpster dive for clothes and eat out of the garbage can but you can’t take away my relationship with Jesus. You can’t take away my faith.” Paul could be free in some pretty precarious situations.
What are we supposed to be anxious about? Nothing. You probably have people in your life who have said, “Don’t worry,” “Relax,” “Calm down,” but they don’t help with the “how” part. Fortunately, Paul didn’t stop there. He gives us a plan for anxiety reduction – low anxiety! – in every situation
It’s important to say that this is not an instant plan for anxiety reduction. This isn’t easy. We are trapped in a maze of shopping malls and endless advertisements tempting us with things they tell us we can’t have a good life without! And it’s such a enticing trap. I few minutes of resistance and I succumb: “I do need that, whatever they’re trying to sell me. My life just won’t be full without it!” And again, I’m trapped. The addiction to More. Corrie Ten Boom, a Dutch Christian Holocaust survivor who helped dozens and dozens of Jews escape the Nazis during World War II, wrote: “Hold everything in your hands lightly, otherwise it hurts when God pries your fingers open.” Corrie Ten Boom wasn’t an addict.
Even Paul didn’t get it automatically. I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. It’s a real discipline, a discipline most of us still struggle with. I have trouble with it. Closets and garages and bookcases of trouble with it. You have trouble with it.
It shouldn’t surprise us that life without anxiety comes only as the result of real exercise. We take this for granted in most areas. We’ve learned there’s no easy way to weight loss. Or health. The pounds come off, the blood pressure comes down, the muscles tone up only with real effort. And exercise. And, we don’t buy the advertisements suggesting that in thirty days we can learn French, and master medieval history. We know that growth and change call for discipline, time and effort. Breaking an addiction takes discipline, time and effort too! Freedom is worth it, though.
The secret of contentment (freedom) isn’t a secret in the sense that it’s hard to figure out. Not like a math formula. It’s not "stress squared times your thyroid plus your age equals anxiety." Or, like the cows - endless chewing and a vacant stare = contentment. No formula; but, how about some guidelines for looking at life? We have a choice. We can have it one of two ways.
What I have is,
A gift from God
Cared for by God
Available for others.
Or,
I got it myself
I must protect it
Unavailable for others.
“I got it myself.” My own accomplishments! Hmmm…. Just wait. A recession, a job termination, a health problem. Oops. What’s happened to my accomplishments?
“I must protect it.” I have to protect everything I have from every threat to my security. Of course, take reasonable precautions. Lock your house, your car. Don’t let your two-year old grandchild run around the neighborhood unattended. BUT, remember the world we live in. Since 9/11 we have seen a frenzy of activity around security. Keep us secure from outsiders, terrorists. A noble cause, but an impossible one. Unless we can close the skies, another 9/11 can happen. Physical - and financial - security is an illusion - no matter how much money we throw at it. And frantically pursuing it is a sure recipe for anxiety.
“Unavailable for others.” I better hoard everything I have. Why don’t we share with others? We’re afraid we won’t have enough. And - and this is important – maybe we won’t. NO guarantee that what we give away will be replaced. But face it, we didn’t earn it anyway, it’s a gift. And, you know what? We might not have enough anyway! No guarantees in this life!
Valley Grace, this is about freedom. We don’t have to be slaves to “more!” We don’t have to be slaves to anything. Not even our fears about the future.
Addiction, by definition is something you can’t control. It’s slavery, and only God’s grace and healing power can touch it. But how do we get there? By correctly understanding our money and possessions, like we just talked about, and then, prayer, and not just any kind of prayer.
Over ninety percent of all Americans say they pray and regularly. I doubt very much that ninety percent of us are therefore relatively free of anxiety, unburdened by fear. Have we missed something? Are we doing it wrong? Do we need another technique?
NICK: I’ve got one! Linus kneels by his bed to say his prayers. Suddenly he says, “I think I’ve made a new theological discovery. If you hold your hands upside down, you get the opposite of what you pray for.”
Maybe that is what most of us need…… The opposite of what we pray for! . This was written by a soldier in the confederate army. It brings home getting the opposite of what most people pray for.
I asked God for strength, that I might achieve,
NICK: I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health that I might do greater things,
NICK: I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked for riches, that I might be happy,
NICK: I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of people,
NICK: I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life,
NICK: I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I had hoped for.
NICK: Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am among all people, most richly blessed.
By an unknown (U.S.A.) Confederate soldier.
For the kind of prayer that takes away anxiety, we have to give him our time, our attention, our listening skills and our willingness to change. Rushing into His presence and begging for peace of mind will never get results. It takes time and focus if we are going to pray for him to get our wills lined up with his. God will answer that prayer. I promise! It might not be really comfortable, but he’ll answer. Have no anxiety about that!
Let’s look at some possibilities for that kind of prayer. Jesus said:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21 TNIV
Jesus’ heart is compassion. His treasure: the poor, the outcasts. What’s our treasure? Where are our hearts AND where’s the prayer in this? I’m not talking about running out today and giving away everything you have and living in a cave. But, we can pray, “Lord, change my heart. Show me what I can do today, that will get my treasure and heart where you want it. And, I’ll do it even if it’s uncomfortable.” Will you have high anxiety? Or excited about the adventure? Then, look at,
“These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6:32-35 NLT
What could we pray for? If we have our priorities right, we can stay focused on what we need to be doing for God right now. We don’t get lost in anxiety about tomorrow. So, let’s pray, “Lord, help me work for your kingdom first.” Valley Grace, IF we don’t seek the Kingdom first, we aren’t seeking it at all.
How about this?
“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Luke 16:13 NLT
I really don’t like that one! Money is a great tool, but a horrible master. I have to ask myself, What’s the role of money in my life? Who’s calling the shots? God, or the desire for More? Let’s pray, “Lord, help me to serve you, and only you. I don’t want to be a slave to money and what it buys.” Can we honestly pray that? A little bit of a stretch? Can we honestly say Jesus is all that matters?
Now, we can continue to hang onto treasures that “moth and rust destroy,” or the things that “dominate the thoughts of unbelievers,” or the other “master.” You are entitled to High Anxiety if that is what you chose, but I want to tell you that anxiety is worthless. It cannot change the past or control the future. It only messes us up right now. It is an incredible waste of energy. It is stewing without doing. It is a waste of creativity.
Listen again to Paul:
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
We can be free for the journey!
PRAYER
We are still getting ready for the journey. Whatever kind of journey it turns out to be. Like we said last week, in a few months we are, again, going to have to make a decision about the lease. Do we spend another six months here at Quinta Ct., or do we go? Lots to think about, because - we agreed - it’s a huge decision.
Then we said there’s a much bigger decision to make. And this isn’t one the Leadership Council can make for us. Each of us will have to decide for ourselves the issue of what we will do when we get to that new neighborhood, or if we never do. Because wherever we are, individually, or as a church, we are in mission.
There is a story of two business men who were flying to a conference overseas. The small plane they were in developed engine problems and they had to crash land on a deserted island. One of the men began to cry that he would never get to see his kids grow up and never tell his wife how much he loved her. The other man simply leaned against a palm tree and fell asleep. His friend woke him up: “How can you sleep? Don’t you care that we are going to die on this island?” High Anxiety. At this the calm companion said, “I am not worried at all. I make $1,000,000 a year.” “Are you crazy?? Your money isn’t going to do you any good here! There’s no food, no water.” “It will make a difference. I make $1,000,000 a year and I always give ten percent to my church. My pastor will find me!”
There’s a stereotype out there that all pastor’s think about and talk about is money. That’s not true. Pastors talk about lots and lots of things, and most pastors don’t talk about money nearly as much as they should. But, since, for so many people, the talking in church about money is about as much fun as going to the dentist –our money, our possessions, our wealth are all sacred cows to us, and we don’t like it when people touch them or examine them – why do we need to talk so much about it? Because Jesus did!! The prophets did, the early church leaders did, the writings that are so old we don’t know who wrote them, all found their way into our Bible, and they all talk about money. And what it buys.
Some pastors have stronger feelings about money, and its use, than others. I work at a bank 40 hours a week, and I see how the wrong actions and beliefs about money can mess people up, and how those beliefs and actions make non-believers wonder about Christianity, and Jesus! Greed and out-of-control consumption paint an ugly picture. I see this every day, so, this pastor has very strong beliefs about money. And, I absolutely believe, as we get ready for the next stage of our journey, whether we have a physical journey or not, we need, in the words of Rick Warren, to “settle the issue of money in our lives.”
So, let’s talk about anxiety. Did I make a jump that lost you? What do you think more people experience anxiety about than anything else? We worry about health, relationships, success, whether someone we love will come to be part of God’s plan, but all these are dwarfed by our constant preoccupation with money and what it buys. The religion of western culture is consumerism. And we are all practitioners. High Anxiety.
The majority of the world's resources pour into the United States. And as we – Americans - grow more and more wealthy, money is becoming a kind of narcotic for us. We have good intentions, but we have invested our lives in consumerism. We have a love affair with "more" -- and we will never have enough. Consumerism is not simply a marketing strategy. It has become a demonic spiritual force, and the theological question facing us is whether Jesus gives us enough power to stand up to it. And if so, how? Today we’re going to look at those two questions.
Let’s go back about 2000 years, to the church at Philippi. The Philippian congregation had sent gifts of money to the apostle Paul. He had planted their church ten years before, and once the church was established he went on. By the time of our letter, Paul had gone all around the northeastern Mediterranean, had ended up in prison in Palestine and been sent to Rome to stand trial before Caesar. It seems likely he wrote the letter to the Philippians from Rome while in jail.
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. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
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.
I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:4-13 TNIV
Let’s look at this. Paul began with “rejoice!” And he wrote it twice, so he’s serious This isn’t a platitude. But, this is important: even Paul did not rejoice in the Lord for all circumstances. For instance, we don't rejoice for death – certainly those of us who love June don’t rejoice that she isn’t with us anymore. We don’t rejoice for pain or divorce or cancer or job loss or recession. But, we rejoice in these tough, painful circumstances. Our joy, our rejoicing, is that we’re on Jesus’ team. He gives us his peace, his help in temptation, his presence in the middle of whatever happens. And we know his kingdom is somehow here and will come more visibly, more powerfully. Soon! That is our joy!
Then we come to a key point for today’s message: Do not be anxious about anything. There you have it - God's Anxiety Reduction Plan, right from the Bible. This is a command. Do not be anxious about anything. And Paul wasn’t alone. Three times in Matthew six, Jesus ordered, “Do not worry.” [vv. 25, 31, 34] Hmmmm…
Paul continued, “by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” I ran across entire sermons distinguishing these three words – “requests,” “prayers” and “petitions, ” but there isn’t much of a distinction in the Greek between the words for “requests” “prayers” and “petitions! Don’t read too much into this. Paul wasn’t giving them instructions on three different kinds of prayer. He was saying, “Admit your dependence on God.”
Then we come to a promise. And it’s a good one. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Peace. …transcends all understanding means, beyond our ability to understand, yes, but also gets us beyond our current understanding : to a new one. It helps us understand there is Someone higher than ourselves. Guarding my heart and my mind. I could go for that. BUT, the peace comes as a result of the dependence. I don’t like that part so much. I want the peace, without the dependence.
Then, whatever is noble, whatever is right, and so on… This is usually interpreted as having something to do with sexual thoughts, don’t read pornography or watch those videos. Don’t, but that is so far out of context here! Sandwiched between Do not be anxious about anything and I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances, it’s hard to see how it could be about anything other than money and its uses. If Paul were talking today he’d be talking to us about listening to all the advertisers who tell us we deserve bigger, faster, newer, flashier. Guard your thoughts from that poison, Paul would say.
Paul was appreciative of the gift the Philippians had sent, but he essentially said, “Thanks for the gift, but even if it hadn’t come I would have been OK, because I have learned to be content in all things.”
Finally, Paul wrote: I can do all this through him who gives me strength. When Paul says he can do all things through Christ does he literally mean all things? Does that mean he could swim across the Mediterranean? Could Richard become a ballet dancer or Joan a professional football player if they work really hard and believe? No, he isn’t saying we can literally do all things. Paul is saying; “I can do all things in Christ that He wants me to do – for his work.” I can become more and more like him. I can work for the Kingdom. Live with less stuff so other can have more.
Paul was happiest that their priorities were right. Verse 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. Philippians 4:17 TNIV And he continued about their gifts: They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. Philippians 4:18 TNIV. Paul was saying he didn’t need to receive the gift nearly as much as they needed to give the gift. Bring that forward 2000 years and we have: Valley Grace, our church doesn’t need to receive our gifts nearly as much as we need to give them!! The Red Cross doesn’t need your gifts as much as you need to give them. World Vision. The Salvation Army. World Gospel Mission.
Are our priorities right? And if not, can God give us the power to stand up to the religion of the 21st century? Can we stand up to the addiction to More? I believe we can.
I’ve never liked the word Contentment. Is there still Carnation evaporated milk? Remember the old Carnation slogan about contented cows? Remember those cows? Vacant stare, mind numbingly endless chewing. Contented. That’s NOT the kind of contentment Paul was writing about!!
For Paul, contentment comes from a complete readiness to accept whatever God gives. No distinction between the necessary and the extravagant. The contented person accepts abundance - and want - as part of life. The contended knows everything is a gift. God provides lavishly for his creation, enough for everyone if we share. And that is how he planned it, and fighting his will doesn’t bring contentment. The contented person knows that dependence on the power of God is the only real freedom!! The contented person is FREE!
Jesus described freedom
“So don’t worry about these things..”
Paul described freedom:
“Do not be anxious about anything, …”
Paul was content. Period. He was free! Whether he had a lot or little he was free. Whether he was shipwrecked or stoned – not drugs, remember those contented cows? They always looked a little too relaxed… No, this kind of stoned was people throwing rocks at him - stoned to within inches of his life. Even then, Paul was free. Whether he was living in a home or a dirty prison cell chained to a guard, he had low anxiety. Why? Because Jesus was all that mattered. Paul’s attitude was, “You can take away the house, the car, cell phones, vacations, eating out, high paying jobs and the Internet. I can live on the street, dumpster dive for clothes and eat out of the garbage can but you can’t take away my relationship with Jesus. You can’t take away my faith.” Paul could be free in some pretty precarious situations.
What are we supposed to be anxious about? Nothing. You probably have people in your life who have said, “Don’t worry,” “Relax,” “Calm down,” but they don’t help with the “how” part. Fortunately, Paul didn’t stop there. He gives us a plan for anxiety reduction – low anxiety! – in every situation
It’s important to say that this is not an instant plan for anxiety reduction. This isn’t easy. We are trapped in a maze of shopping malls and endless advertisements tempting us with things they tell us we can’t have a good life without! And it’s such a enticing trap. I few minutes of resistance and I succumb: “I do need that, whatever they’re trying to sell me. My life just won’t be full without it!” And again, I’m trapped. The addiction to More. Corrie Ten Boom, a Dutch Christian Holocaust survivor who helped dozens and dozens of Jews escape the Nazis during World War II, wrote: “Hold everything in your hands lightly, otherwise it hurts when God pries your fingers open.” Corrie Ten Boom wasn’t an addict.
Even Paul didn’t get it automatically. I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. It’s a real discipline, a discipline most of us still struggle with. I have trouble with it. Closets and garages and bookcases of trouble with it. You have trouble with it.
It shouldn’t surprise us that life without anxiety comes only as the result of real exercise. We take this for granted in most areas. We’ve learned there’s no easy way to weight loss. Or health. The pounds come off, the blood pressure comes down, the muscles tone up only with real effort. And exercise. And, we don’t buy the advertisements suggesting that in thirty days we can learn French, and master medieval history. We know that growth and change call for discipline, time and effort. Breaking an addiction takes discipline, time and effort too! Freedom is worth it, though.
The secret of contentment (freedom) isn’t a secret in the sense that it’s hard to figure out. Not like a math formula. It’s not "stress squared times your thyroid plus your age equals anxiety." Or, like the cows - endless chewing and a vacant stare = contentment. No formula; but, how about some guidelines for looking at life? We have a choice. We can have it one of two ways.
What I have is,
A gift from God
Cared for by God
Available for others.
Or,
I got it myself
I must protect it
Unavailable for others.
“I got it myself.” My own accomplishments! Hmmm…. Just wait. A recession, a job termination, a health problem. Oops. What’s happened to my accomplishments?
“I must protect it.” I have to protect everything I have from every threat to my security. Of course, take reasonable precautions. Lock your house, your car. Don’t let your two-year old grandchild run around the neighborhood unattended. BUT, remember the world we live in. Since 9/11 we have seen a frenzy of activity around security. Keep us secure from outsiders, terrorists. A noble cause, but an impossible one. Unless we can close the skies, another 9/11 can happen. Physical - and financial - security is an illusion - no matter how much money we throw at it. And frantically pursuing it is a sure recipe for anxiety.
“Unavailable for others.” I better hoard everything I have. Why don’t we share with others? We’re afraid we won’t have enough. And - and this is important – maybe we won’t. NO guarantee that what we give away will be replaced. But face it, we didn’t earn it anyway, it’s a gift. And, you know what? We might not have enough anyway! No guarantees in this life!
Valley Grace, this is about freedom. We don’t have to be slaves to “more!” We don’t have to be slaves to anything. Not even our fears about the future.
Addiction, by definition is something you can’t control. It’s slavery, and only God’s grace and healing power can touch it. But how do we get there? By correctly understanding our money and possessions, like we just talked about, and then, prayer, and not just any kind of prayer.
Over ninety percent of all Americans say they pray and regularly. I doubt very much that ninety percent of us are therefore relatively free of anxiety, unburdened by fear. Have we missed something? Are we doing it wrong? Do we need another technique?
NICK: I’ve got one! Linus kneels by his bed to say his prayers. Suddenly he says, “I think I’ve made a new theological discovery. If you hold your hands upside down, you get the opposite of what you pray for.”
Maybe that is what most of us need…… The opposite of what we pray for! . This was written by a soldier in the confederate army. It brings home getting the opposite of what most people pray for.
I asked God for strength, that I might achieve,
NICK: I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health that I might do greater things,
NICK: I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked for riches, that I might be happy,
NICK: I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of people,
NICK: I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life,
NICK: I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I had hoped for.
NICK: Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am among all people, most richly blessed.
By an unknown (U.S.A.) Confederate soldier.
For the kind of prayer that takes away anxiety, we have to give him our time, our attention, our listening skills and our willingness to change. Rushing into His presence and begging for peace of mind will never get results. It takes time and focus if we are going to pray for him to get our wills lined up with his. God will answer that prayer. I promise! It might not be really comfortable, but he’ll answer. Have no anxiety about that!
Let’s look at some possibilities for that kind of prayer. Jesus said:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21 TNIV
Jesus’ heart is compassion. His treasure: the poor, the outcasts. What’s our treasure? Where are our hearts AND where’s the prayer in this? I’m not talking about running out today and giving away everything you have and living in a cave. But, we can pray, “Lord, change my heart. Show me what I can do today, that will get my treasure and heart where you want it. And, I’ll do it even if it’s uncomfortable.” Will you have high anxiety? Or excited about the adventure? Then, look at,
“These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6:32-35 NLT
What could we pray for? If we have our priorities right, we can stay focused on what we need to be doing for God right now. We don’t get lost in anxiety about tomorrow. So, let’s pray, “Lord, help me work for your kingdom first.” Valley Grace, IF we don’t seek the Kingdom first, we aren’t seeking it at all.
How about this?
“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Luke 16:13 NLT
I really don’t like that one! Money is a great tool, but a horrible master. I have to ask myself, What’s the role of money in my life? Who’s calling the shots? God, or the desire for More? Let’s pray, “Lord, help me to serve you, and only you. I don’t want to be a slave to money and what it buys.” Can we honestly pray that? A little bit of a stretch? Can we honestly say Jesus is all that matters?
Now, we can continue to hang onto treasures that “moth and rust destroy,” or the things that “dominate the thoughts of unbelievers,” or the other “master.” You are entitled to High Anxiety if that is what you chose, but I want to tell you that anxiety is worthless. It cannot change the past or control the future. It only messes us up right now. It is an incredible waste of energy. It is stewing without doing. It is a waste of creativity.
Listen again to Paul:
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
We can be free for the journey!
PRAYER
God,
grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time,
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardship as a pathway to peace;
taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is;
not as I would have it;
trusting that You will make all things right
if I surrender to your will;
so that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with You forever in the next.
AMEN