Using Philippians 4:4-7
For Anxiety
Hope for the present and the future.
Philippians 4:4-7 NIV
Commentary
Questions
Commands and Promises Regarding Peace with God
Philippians 4:4-7
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Four commands of God:
- Vs. 4 “Rejoice” stated twice.
- Vs. 5 “Let your gentleness be evident to all.”
- Vs. 6 “Do not be anxious about anything.”
- Vs. 6 “…in every situation, by prayer and thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Two promises of God:
- Vs. 5 “The Lord is near.”
- Vs. 7 “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Peace with God may seem like an elusive thing when we look for it in ourselves.
Philippians 4:4-7, quoted in the left column) encourages us to look to God for our peace with God. Here God gives us commands and promises. We look at those passages and at those commands and promises of God in more detail following the questions to the right.
But God saved them. Our Scripture reading tells us how God did this.
God gives us four commands in Philippians 4:4-7. What are they?
- Vs. 4 “Rejoice” stated twice.
- Vs. 5 “Let your gentleness be evident to all.”
- Vs. 6 “Do not be anxious about anything.”
- Vs. 6 “…in every situation, by prayer and thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
The commands in vs. 4, 5, and the beginning of vs. 6 are asking us to change our thought pattern and our attitude from one of sadness or fear or anxiety accompanied by anger to one of joy. Where will we find that joy? That is where the command at the end of vs. 6 comes in: “…in every situation, by prayer and thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
The promises of God in these verses tell us how, even in the fears, anxieties, and troubles of our lives, we will have peace.
Which are the two promises of God in these passages?
- Vs. 5 “The Lord is near.”
- Vs. 7 “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
- How does the promise that God is near comfort you?
- How does the promise that God, the Creator of the world, is near comfort you as you pray to Him?
- The all-powerful God who created all things and has great love for His creation and for you is so near to you that you can “…in every situation, by prayer and thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
- What does that mean to you?
- In verse 7 God promises peace that will transcend all understanding and that will guard your heart and your mind. Who is this peace wrapped up in?
- What has Jesus done for you that has brought you peace with God and that transcends all understanding?
- How will this peace with God through Jesus Christ guard your heart and mind in the present and in the future?
- How does this peace give you the confidence to pray?
- How does this peace change your attitude, thoughts, and actions?
- How does this peace give you joy?
*From the writings of Rev. Alan Siggelkow.
**Suggested by sermon by Pastor Kurt Ebert.
The above exercise has greater benefit when working with a Christian therapist, your pastor, or a fellow Christian. Interaction and accountability with another person who can provide understanding and encouragement is reinforced in therapy sessions.
