231 Philippians: The Word on Worry

In this passage, the Apostle Paul makes one of the most extraordinary statements of this entire letter: “Do not be anxious about anything.” Anything? I can understand saying, “Don’t sweat the small stuff,” but “Don’t worry about anything?”

It would be easy to dismiss Paul’s words if he were some lofty, ivory-towered theologian. But remember, Paul was writing this letter from prison! If anybody had reason to worry, it would be him. He literally didn’t know if he would survive from one day to the next. And yet, letting go of worry was how he lived–how he survived.

How is that possible? Let’s see if we can find some answers by looking at three questions: 

• Where does worry come from?

• What does worry cost?

• How is worry defeated?

1.     Where does worry come from?

Your culture and history and biology can set you up to be a worrier. But we all wrestle with worry because we all have problems.

An expert in this field says that worry results primarily from two things: 

• A heightened sense of vulnerability, and

• A diminished sense of power.

We worry because we’re vulnerable and exposed and we know we can’t do much about it. 

Conversely, where there’s a decreased sense of vulnerability and increased sense of power, anxiety will be lessened.

This is why Pauls reminds us to “Rejoice in the Lord.” When you have entered into a relationship with Him, you have no reason to be anxious because Someone real big is with you

2.     What does worry cost?

Worry causes all kinds of physical ailments. But it also leads to a “divided mind.” That’s literally what the Greek word means. Worry multiplies problems actually keeping me from finding a solution. 

3.     How is worry defeated? 

We said earlier that when you increase your sense of power, anxiety is diminished. That’s why Paul tells us, “Don’t worry about anything, instead pray about everything.” 

Pray about the big stuff. Pray about the little stuff. If something is big enough to be in your thoughts, it’s big enough to pray about. And when you do, soon you’ll find a sense of God’s peace settling down over you. 

Text: Philippians 4:4-7 

Originally recorded on January 11, 2009, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN