HOW TO KEEP FROM STRESSING OUT

The Habits of Happiness (Philippians) – Part 8

Rick Warren

Nov. 9-10, 2013

PHILIPPIANS 4:6-13

“If you do THESE THINGS you will experience God’s peace which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.

His peace will keep your thoughts quiet and your heart at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.”verse 7 (LB)

To eliminate stress:
Trust, Pray, Gratitude, Focus

1.

Refuse to worry about anything & everything.

“Never worry about anything...”Phil. 4:6 (NLT)

Jesus said...

WORRY IS:
unreasonable, illogical, irrational.

“Don’t worry about your life, what you’ll eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?”Matt. 6:25

Worry always exaggerates problems & expands troubles.

Worry doesn't work it doesn't change things.

WORRY IS:
unnatural. It is a learned response.

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”Matt. 6:26

Nothing in the universe worries, except human beings.

Everything in creation trusts God, except people.

Children of the King are royalty and will be treated royally.

“And why worry about clothes? Look at the field lilies! They don't worry about theirs. Yet King Solomon in all his glory was never clothed as beautifully as they.”Matt. 6:28-29

WORRY IS:
unhealthy.

“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”Matt. 6:27

Our bodies were not designed to handle worry/stress/anxiety.

Prov.12:25 - An anxious heart weighs it down. Chokes the life out of it.

It's not what you eat, it is what is eating you.

Prov. 14:30: Heart at peace

WORRY IS:
unhelpful / unnecessary

“If God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you, O you of little faith?”Matt. 6:30

Worry can't control the future or change the past.

The only thing worry does is changes you, makes you more miserable

“Unload all your worries on God since He is looking after you!” Unload means drop it, let it go!1 Peter 5:7

Pray and talk to God about everything.

“Never worry about anything. Instead in every situation let God know what you need in your prayers and requests...”Phil. 4:6 (GW)

When you talk to yourself it doesn't do anything, talk to God and good things will happen. Prayer power.

“You do not have, because you do not ask God.”

Worry less, pray more!
James 4:2

As a kid, we never worry about how our parents are going to get the money or support. So we should trust our Heavenly Father to provide and care for us too.

“Since God did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't He who gave us Christ, also give us everything else we need?”Romans 8:32

Thank God in all things.

“...When you ask God for what you need also thank him for all he’s done.”Phil. 4:6

Have an attitude of gratitude = health & happiness.

The more grateful people are the longer they live.

Gratitude overcomes depression.

“...always ask with a thankful heart.”(TEV)

“In everything give thanks, for THIS is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you!”1 Thes. 5:18

No matter how bad things are, you can always find something to be thankful for.

Count your blessings by saying "thank you!"

Living Thanksgiving all the time.

Keep Thanksgiving Holy Day of Thanks and Focus on Family not shopping.

4.

Focus & think about the good things.

“Fill your minds with those things that are true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and beautiful and respected. If anything is excellent or if anything is worthy of honor, think about those things.”Phil. 4:8 (NCV/NAS)

THIS is a picture of God!

Pure, beautiful, honorable, excellent....

“You Lord, will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, and whose thoughts are fixed ON YOU!”Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)

Stress battle is in your brain between your ears.

Happiness is a choice.

Stress is a choice.
What you fill your mind with will determine the level of stress you have.

Mind pollution needs to be controlled. Filter what you expose yourself to. Just as you would use caution regarding any other contaminates. Ask yourself before you read, watch, listen to something if it is excellent, true, right, honorable, beautiful, etc.?

Garbage in... Garbage out.

Get out of the box (TV, Computers, etc.)

Protect your mind. Don't poison it.

Fools make fun of sin.

Focus on God to obtain perfect peace.

Be content - it is great gain.

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of contentment in every situation, whether I’m well-fed or hungry, when I have more than I need or when I don’t have enough.”Phil. 4:11-12 (LB)

Enjoy what you have now.

Don't delay joy and make it dependent upon circumstances.

“Peace of mind makes the body healthy, but envy is like a cancer.” Prov.14:30 (TEV)

Independence of circumstances.

Happiness does not depend on happenings.

Nothing in life is perfect.

Contentment is not natural - you must learn it.

Stop comparing.

Envy is comparing

When you wish for "_____"... you set yourself up for discontentment.

Have more = importance, happiness, secure is a retail myth.

Have your security in God, not your bank account.

“It’s better to only have a little with peace of mind, than to be busy all the time with both hands, trying to catch the wind.”Eccl. 4:6 (TEV)

Learn to admire without having to aquire!

I don't have to own it to enjoy it.

Ownership can become very burdensome: maintenance, storage, costs, security, etc.

HOW?

By the power that Christ gives me. Christ strengthens me.

“I have the strength to face anything and everything by the power that Christ gives me.”Phil. 4:13

God doesn't expect you to do this on your own. He wants you to trust and rely on Him.

“Obey God and be at peace with Him; this is the way to happiness.”Job 22:21 (NCV)

Peace of mind, comes by ending the war of the worries with God.

Determine to choose contentment and joy now.

My Church Notes

Sunday, November 10, 2013