7543 What Causes Anxiety?

Psychologists point out these contributory causes: (1) rush sickness—trying to cram thirty hours of activities into a twenty-four-hour day; (2) straining—those who aren’t getting ahead as fast as they think they should and strain harder for a promotion of more social approval; (3) mobility—in a recent five-year period, seventy-five million Americans changed homes, uprooting parents and children from family, church, and community relationships; (4) threat of nuclear destruction.

7544 What Worries Americans?

A Harris Survey asked a cross section of Americans to tell what worries them the most.

More than seventy percent said they worried about wasting too much time, especially watching television. About the same number stated they worried about not reading enough, not attending church regularly enough, and not being active enough in community affairs. The survey reports nothing about concern over personal sins and a future judgment.

7545 Physical Effects Of Worry

At a British clinic an examination of 500 patients confirmed that more than one-third of their visual problems were caused by emotional tension.

Dr. Leonard S. Fosdick of Northwestern University has proven conclusively that worry restricts the flow of saliva. Then, because natural mouth acids are not properly neutralized, tooth decay occurs.

A survey of about 5,000 students in 21 different colleges confirms that worriers get the lowest grades.

6 Be anxious for nothing,

Key theme: The joy of the Lord

Key verse: Philippians 3:1

I. THE SINGLE MIND—chapter 1

A. The fellowship of the Gospel—1:1–11

B. The furtherance of the Gospel—1:12–26

C. The faith of the Gospel—1:27–30

II. THE SUBMISSIVE MIND—chapter 2

A. The example of Christ—2:1–11

B. The example of Paul—2:12–18

C. The example of Timothy—2:19–24

D. The example of Epaphroditus—2:25–30

III. THE SPIRITUAL MIND—chapter 3

A. Paul’s past—3:1–11

(the accountant—“I count”)

B. Paul’s present—3:12–16

(the athlete—“I press”)

C. Paul’s future—3:17–21

(the alien—“I look”)

IV. THE SECURE MIND—chapter 4

A. God’s peace—4:1–9

Of all the letters Paul wrote to churches, this one to the Philippians stands out as being the most personal. No sharp rebukes of the congregation mar its joyful spirit

Strengthen me by the grace of your holy spirit, O God. Give me the power to be strengthened inwardly and to empty my heart of all vain care and anxiety, so that I may not be drawn away by many desires, whether for precious things or mean ones. Let me look upon everything as passing, and upon myself as soon to pass away with them, because there is nothing lasting under the sun, where all is vanity and affliction of spirit. How wise is he who thinks thus!

Give me, Lord, heavenly wisdom to learn above all else to seek and find You, to enjoy and love You more than anything, and to consider other things as they are, as Your wisdom has ordered them. Grant me prudence to avoid the flatterer and to bear patiently with him who disagrees with me. For it is great wisdom not to be moved by the sound of words, nor to give ear to the wicked, flattering siren. Then, I shall walk safely in the way I have begun.

THOMAS À KEMPIS

The Philippian church sent Epaphroditus to Paul with a gift from the congregation (4:18) and with instructions to minister to his needs through personal service (2:25). He also must have brought news of the progress and problems of the church. In the performance of his responsibilities, Epaphroditus became gravely ill, and the Philippians heard about it.

But Epaphroditus recovered and was ready to return home. This furnished the occasion for writing the Epistle.

Of all the letters Paul wrote to churches, this one to the Philippians stands out as being the most personal.

“Sow a thought, reap an action.

Sow an action, reap a habit.

Sow a habit, reap a character.

Sow a character, reap a destiny!”