Overcoming Anxiety
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Learning Paul's "prescription for peace" to guard us from anxiety through personal worship and thanksgiving.
Text: Phil. 4:6-7
Date: 01/11/2026, the Combined service.
Series: "Your Word is Truth"
Description:
As we continue our discussion of overcoming trials, our attention turns now to the intense anxiety that often accompanies the trials and faith-dilemmas we face. The Bible clearly teaches that we should be "anxious for nothing". And yet for most Christians this is much easier said than done. But Paul in his letter to the Philippians gives a "prescription for peace" that reveals the Christian solution for anxiety. He teaches that since we have no control over the circumstances that cause anxiety, and the "portals" of our minds and hearts through which anxiety attacks us are likewise beyond our control; our only logical recourse is to turn to God in prayer for His solution. Paul places his emphasis on the nature of these prayers and the fact that the perfect peace we seek is to be found in God's protection "in Christ" rather than our own efforts. Ultimately we will realize Paul's prescription is for personal worship, heartfelt thanksgiving, and total surrender to our loving and Almighty God-- who alone provides the incomprehensible peace that guards our hearts and minds from anxiety.
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I. Introduction, Dan. 5:26-30.
II. Exposition of the text, Phil. 4:6-7.
A. Context
1. Returning to Philippians.
2. Continuing the discussion of trials.
a. Lessons concerning trials, 1Pet. 1:6-7.
b. Lessons concerning Faith Dilemmas, Ex. 14:13-14.
B. Paul's prescription for peace, Eph. 6:12.
1. The problem of anxiety, vs. 6a.
a. Looking at the words, Luke 12:25; Matt. 6:25,34, 10:17-19.
b. The nature of anxiety.
i. The heart, 1Pet. 1:22; Heb. 3:12, 4:12; Rom. 9:23; Mark 8:17.
ii. The mind, Rom. 8:6; 2Cor. 4:4, 11:3.
iii. Greater than the sum of their parts, 1Chr. 22:19; Jer. 17:10, 20:12; Psa. 26:2.
c. Addressing the problem of anxiety.
i. An external attack.
ii. Distinguishing Christianity from Psychology.
2. Paul's solution to anxiety.
a. The "perfect" solution.
i. In a perfect Christian world.
ii. Our tarnished version, 1Th. 5:17; James 4:3; Rom. 8:26.
b. The necessary precursor of worship.
i. Analyzing "prayer", Matt. 6:8.
ii. The importance of knowing God.
iii. The importance of right objectives, 2Chr. 7:14.
c. The petitions of prayer, 1Sam. 1:10; Acts 12:5; James 5:17; Eph. 6:18; 1Tim. 2:1; Luke 22:44; Heb. 5:7.
d. The essential attitude of prayer.
i. Understanding "thanksgiving", Col. 4:2; 2Cor. 4:15.
ii. Thankfulness in the heart of trials.
3. The promise of peace, vs. 7.
a. What Paul does not say.
i. No mention of circumstances, 1Pet. 1:6.
ii. No mention of "feeling better".
iii. No mention of "diversion".
b. Looking at the words.
i. God's peace.
ii. An incomprehensible peace.
1) The word "surpass", Phil. 3:8.
2) The word "understanding", Luke 24:25; 1Cor. 14:19.
iii. Guarded hearts and minds, 2Th. 3:3; Jude 24; 1Pet. 1:5; Psa. 127:1.
c. Putting the words together.
d. It is all "in Christ", Phil. 1:21; John 17:12; Rom. 38-39.
III. Conclusion, Psa. 4:8; Luke 22:42.
