DEFEATING WORRY WITH GOD’S PEACE
It has been said, and I have said… “comparison is the thief of joy,” but I would argue that worry is also a thief of joy and a thief we let rob us more often than any other. If worry does rob us of joy, then what better book of the Bible to address this thief than the book of joy. Paul, a prisoner in Rome for preaching the gospel, tells us not to worry while he is chained and unsure if he will be sentenced to death, rot in prison, or be set free.
MAIN SCRIPTURE: Philippians 4:2-9
What does it mean to worry?
Worry is the mental distress or agitation caused by thinking repeatedly about problems, or unpleasant things that might happen in the future…usually about future events that are uncertain or perceived as a threat.
It involves tormenting oneself with disturbing, repetitive thoughts (fretting).
Worry vs. Anxiety: While often used interchangeably, in a clinical sense, worry is seen as the cognitive (thought-based) component of anxiety. Worry is primarily mental (thoughts). Anxiety is Mental & Physical (Thoughts and body symptoms).
Research into worry: Research consistently suggests that the vast majority of our worries are false alarms. Two key sources provide the most cited statistics on this topic:
1. The Penn State Study tracked 29 people with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). They asked participants to write down specific worries for 10 days and then tracked the outcomes for the following month.
91.4% of the specific things participants worried about did not come true.
For about 25% of the participants, 100% of their worries failed to materialize.
2. Dr. Robert Leahy, a clinical professor at Weill Cornell Medical College and author of The Worry Cure, conducted a similar investigation often cited in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) literature.
85% of the things people worried about never happened. The Outcome of the Remaining 15%: Leahy found that even when the worried event did happen, 79% of the time, the subjects handled the difficulty far better than they expected.
How do we deal with the thief of worry? Paul lays out four conditions to defeat worry and live with peace in our lives:
Right Belief (v. 4-5)
V. 4-5
A joyful heart, not just when it is advantageous, but is manifested on all occasions. This can only come from a mind that is changed by God and puts into practice a heavenly mindset.
Right beliefs or theology lead to right thinking. A deeply settled response is possible when one’s thoughts and trust are rooted in the One who does not change and who is sovereign over all human affairs. Recalling the character and faithfulness of God can give us a steady heart in all circumstances.
The NLT, NIV, and ESV allude to the closeness of God in different ways, but they all imply to say the closeness of His return, not so much his presence. This is okay, though, because we already know and trust His presence is with us through the Holy Spirit. Knowing and believing God is close in proximity and in His returning, invokes the confidence to have joy in all circumstances.
How we handle circumstances with consideration and gentleness is a testimony of God’s presence and faithfulness to everyone around us.
V. 6-7
No matter how much we believe or trust in God, we are human, and worry can rise up in our hearts and minds. Paul gives us a way to remedy worry, and that is through prayer.
Paul’s appeal to the Philippians is Do not be anxious or do not worry about anything. But this was not a call to a carefree life. To care and be genuinely concerned is one thing. To worry is another. Paul and Timothy cared for the people they ministered to (2 Cor. 11:28; Phil. 2:20), yet they retained trust in God. Jesus warned against worry which obviously eliminates trust in God (Matt. 6:25–33). Lightner, R. P. (1985). Philippians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 663). Victor Books.
To worry is to constantly dwell on negative thoughts and possible negative outcomes, which develops anxiety and fear. To care and be genuinely concerned, still remembers God is in charge and trusts His goodwill in what may come. There is a peace in the midst of the waiting.
“Make your requests known to God.” God already knows what we need and what we are going through, but he requires that we come and express them to him. Why? So we learn to pivot our hearts and minds away from the conflict or trials and find peace and refuge in His presence. It’s pivoting from dwelling on or meditating on one to another.
Prayer is the key, but it’s the type of prayer that is critical, and the Bible puts forth three types of prayer:
Adoration Prayer: the general word for making requests known to the Lord. This is the act of approaching God. It carries the idea of adoration, devotion, and worship. Whenever we find ourselves worrying, our first response ought to be getting alone with God to worship Him. We often rush into his presence to tell him our needs, but adoration reminds our hearts of the sovereignty and power of God. In worship, we remember that God is big enough to handle all our problems.
Supplication prayer/petition: an earnest sharing and requesting of our needs and problems. This is where we do the casting and the asking. We cast our concerns and what we are worried about, and ask what we need to help. It is possible to see the urgency of these requests lessen or the needs be minimized because in adoration they are no longer as overwhelming or concerning.
Peter invites us to unload anxiety: “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7).
Thanksgiving prayer: When we intentionally thank God for the prayers we just brought up, but more importantly for all that he has ever done, we stop worrying, challenge ourselves to recall the faithfulness of God, and choose to move forward with a thankful heart. Giving thanks brings the past faithfulness of God back into the forefront of our minds and brings us peace.
V. 7 Then you will experience peace…
It’s after we have gone through recalling the greatness of God, stop carrying problems that God can carry for us, and appreciate all he has done for us that we will experience the peace of God.
The peace of God here is referring to the calmness of one’s heart that comes from the closeness of a relationship with God, a faith and conviction that God is near and faithful.
A peace that surpasses all understanding or a peace that makes no sense, especially since what you’re going through could very well elicit worry and fear.
The word guard here has the idea of a garrison of soldiers. Like soldiers assigned to watch over a certain area, God’s peace garrisons the hearts and … minds, that is, the emotions and thoughts, of God’s children. Lightner, R. P. (1985). Philippians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 664). Victor Books.
“Guard” is a military term, implying that peace stands on duty to keep out anything that brings care and anxiety. For these reasons, prayerful people are peaceful people. Melick, R. R. (1991). Philippians, Colossians, Philemon (Vol. 32, p. 150). Broadman & Holman Publishers.
Paul was chained to a Roman soldier guarding him day and night. The peace, the wholeness, and calmness of God stand by guarding you day and night.
The peace of God enables us to be calm on the inside when we're going through trials on the outside.
Right Thinking (v. 8)
Paul addresses the church to fix their thoughts and minds on a list of virtuous qualities that point us to the character and nature of God.
Fix your thoughts on whatever is…The mind is powerful, and our thoughts are fully capable of eliciting anxiety, especially if they go unchecked or aren’t sanctified by the Spirit of God.
Isaiah 26:3 NIV: You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. NLT: You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Fixing our minds to wholesome virtues should produce wholesome hearts, responses, perspectives, and actions.
True (alēthē) things are, of course, the opposite of dishonest and unreliable things (cf. Eph. 4:15, 25). Noble refers to what is dignified and worthy of respect (this word semna is used in the NT only here and in 1 Tim. 3:8, 11; Titus 2:2). Right refers to conformity to God’s standards. Pure (hagna) refers to what is wholesome, not mixed with moral impurity. Lovely (prosphilē, occurring only here in the NT) speaks of what promotes peace rather than conflict. Admirable (euphēma, also used only here) relates to what is positive and constructive rather than negative and destructive. These six objects of thought are then described as excellent (aretē) and praiseworthy (epainos). Lightner, R. P. (1985). Philippians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 664). Victor Books.
We find these virtues in Christ and the Word of God.
Research on overall health and Bible reading: Engaging with the Bible is consistently associated with measurable mental-health benefits, especially reduced anxiety. A 2024 American Bible Society (ABS) study found that frequent Scripture readers reported lower stress, less anxiety and loneliness, and greater hope than those who did not read… Broader research on religious involvement supports these findings: across hundreds of studies, active faith practices, including Bible reading, correlate with lower depression and anxiety, and higher levels of hope, meaning, community support, and overall well-being. In practice, people who regularly engage Scripture tend to experience greater emotional resilience and healthier coping, especially when supported by a faith community and consistent spiritual habits. (American Bible Society [ABS], State of the Bible 2024. Baylor University / ABS Trauma-Informed Scripture Engagement Study reported in Christianity Today, 2021.)
Right thinking requires the gatekeeping of your heart and mind.
Be careful what you put into your mind. The music you listen to and the things you watch, what your mind meditates on or dwells on, all of these things matter.
2 Corinthians 10:5 says we must bring “into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” Look out for Satan, the liar who seeks to tell you lies, or even your own fleshly mind speaking falsehoods. We store these virtues in our hearts and minds, but if negative or worrisome thoughts still arise, we pray and replace our thoughts with the truth!
Right Living (v. 2-3; 9)
Paul addresses the conflict in the church and urges the church to walk in the holy life that he taught and lived by example, knowing full well there is an unrest in our hearts when we live wrong before God or live in conflict with others (Unless we have no conscience and the Spirit of God is not in us).
Epaphroditus must have given an update about two women in the church who were having a dispute. “Euodia” which means a “prosperous journey.” “Syntyche” means a “pleasant acquaintance.”
Paul doesn’t bring the actual dispute up, just that he wants them to settle the dispute. Whatever it was, it was important enough to address them by name in a letter the whole church in Philippi would hear read aloud. If Paul is having to get involved, it means the dispute has caused tension and possible division in the church, and it certainly hasn’t been resolved. This helps explain Paul’s earlier plea for unity (2:1–4)
We are not sure who the true partner or co-worker Paul is referring to here. Some believe it may be Clement or all the elders of the church, such as Lydia or the Philippian Jailer. Either way, conflicts at times require the help of church leaders, and this was the case here.
At one point, these two women were contending together, side by side with Paul for the gospel, and now they are in contention with each other. These types of disputes can hinder them from holding forth the gospel since they are complaining and arguing about an issue, making their heart and focus on the gospel dim and fade in a community that needs Jesus (Philippians 2:14-16). Paul wants it settled so that unity is restored and the important work can continue.
Wrong living and conflict inflict worry, but righteous living produces peace.
Isaiah 32:17 The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.
There is to be no dissonance between belief and lifestyle. Righteousness sows peace and peace reaps joy.
Real, tangible peace lives in believers because forgiveness has been received, reconciliation and salvation have been experienced, and the promise of eternal life is ours. Our relationship with God through the grace of Christ is our source of peace in a worried world. But the Bible guides us into garrisons of peace, layers of protection. Peace comes from who we trust in, how we pray, how we think, and how we live. When we live rightly in these three areas, we will experience a peace that can rejoice in all circumstances.
Discussion
What is one thing from the message that resonated with you?
Why do you think we allow worry to “rob us” more easily than other sins or struggles?
Pastor Ryan shared that over 85–90% of worries never happen.
How does that statistic impact the way you think about your own worries?Paul commands believers to “rejoice” while he is imprisoned.
What does that teach us about the source of Christian joy?Pastor Ryan differentiates worry from genuine concern. In your life, how can you tell the difference between the two?
Which type of prayer (Adoration, Supplication, Thanksgiving) comes most naturally to you? Which is most challenging?
How have you seen your emotional life shift when you intentionally fill your mind with God’s Word?
What additional notes did you make during the sermon?
What can we pray for regarding the sermon? Do you have any prayer needs?
The most important decision you will ever make!
If you’re ready to trust in Jesus for salvation and eternal life, we encourage you to process this decision with a strong believer and when you’re ready, say a simple prayer like this from your heart: Dear God, I acknowledge and admit I have sinned. I see my need for Jesus Christ. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I believe I am forgiven and cleansed of my sin by His death. I also believe I have eternal life because of His resurrection from the dead. I repent, I turn away from my old ways and I choose to live my life to worship you and follow Jesus, Amen!
We would love to know if you decided to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Let us know here.
Pray Together
We hope you found this AFTER THE SERMON discussion helpful for your walk with Jesus. We pray you can find ways to apply it this week!