God’s Antidote for Anxiety

Anxiety is normal

For this reason, I am very eager to send him so that you may rejoice when you see him again and I may be less anxious. PHILIPPIANS 2:28 HSB

God has an antidote for anxiety

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

Worry only makes it worse

Don’t worry about anything PHILIPPIANS 4:6

Worry adds stress

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. MATTHEW 6:34 NLT

Worry leads me away from God

…but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced. MARK 4:19 NLT

Some of us:

  1. Freak out
  2. Blow up
  3. Stuff it
  4. Blow it out
  5. Give up

Talking with God will make me feel better

…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication…let your requests be made known to God. PHILIPPIANS 4:6 ESV
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 PETER 5:7 NLT
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29 NLT
Instead of over ____________, I should over pray

Thanking God for what he has done helps even more

Gratitude changes attitude

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. PHILIPPIANS 4:6 NLT
Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. ROMANS 1:21 NLT

Thank God that he hears me when I pray

So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. JOHN 11:41 NLT

Thank God for what he has done for me

He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. LUKE 17:16 NLT

Community Group Discussion Guide

  1. What are some of the relatively silly or small things you are currently worried about?
  2. When you’re feeling anxious, how does that come out in you physically? How does it affect those around you?
  3. Read Philippians 4:6-7. What is God’s antidote for anxiety? Why do you think it often seems easier to worry about things rather than praying to God?
  4. Read 1 Peter 5:7. What are some of the practical things you do to give your worries and cares to God?
  5. What are some things you are thankful to God for?
  6. In what ways have you seen thankfulness to God directly combat your anxiety? How can you apply that to your life this week to find relief?

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a quiet place where you can be alone with God. Consider an area in your life that gives you anxiety. How does anxiety manifest physically for you? What are the signs you know to look for that tells you that you have gone beyond thinking about a situation and into worrying over it? What feelings come up for you as you think about praying about this? Now, intentionally turn to God with these things. Thank him for being present with you, and allow yourself some time to slowly unwrap your anxieties before God, allowing yourself to pause for God’s response. As you move through your week, allow the physical symptoms you experience to become an invitation to talk to God about what is happening in your mind and heart.

My Notes