I. What exactly is Anxiety?

List some related terms:

Anxiety is a kind of meditation.

Anxiety isn’t always logical.

Anxiety often doesn’t feel like a choice.

How is anxiety different from fear?

• Fear typically involves specific, present, real danger
  • Examples: snakes, parachute, lion
• Anxiety is an emotional state characterized by tension, worry, nervousness, and fear.

Is anxiety merely a modern problem?

A Recent Book: The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt An Older Book:

• Prov 12:25
• 1 Pet 5:7
• Matt 6:25

What are some areas of our anxieties?

• Finances (food, clothing, job, housing)
• Friends (relationships, reputation, marriage)
• Future (health, death, decisions)
• Failure (sin, looking bad, hurting others

II. Protecting Against Anxiety

Philippians 4:4-5

• A command = “rejoice”
• A character trait = “reasonableness/gentleness”
• A reality = “The Lord is at hand”

III. Fighting Anxiety

Philippians 4:6, 8-9 The prohibition – “Stop It!!”

The antidote – “pray…”

IV. The Alternative to Anxiety

Philippians 4:7, 9b The peace of God…the God of peace.

• Peace with God (Romans 5:1; Colossians 1:20)
• The peace that God has
• The peace that God gives (Isa 26:3; John 14:27)

Discussion Questions

1. Read Prov 12:25. How can we help one another fight against anxiety?
2. Read Matt. 6:27. What does this verse teach us about anxiety? What is Jesus’ solution in v. 33?
3. Read Philippians 4:6 again. Describe how you might put this kind of prayer into practice? How does Psalm 56:3 fit into this?