ATTITUDES ONLY GOD CAN PRODUCE
Philippians 4:1-9
A pastor/friend’s experience in El Salvador some years ago
In the midst of revolutionary tensions, when I was speaking at a pastors' retreat, he came to see me.
"You were talking to me today!"
"I haven't been able to sleep"
"I've been suffering from a tremendous headache"
Pain in the back of my neck Pain in my chest Pain in my stomach
"I haven't been hungry."
"I went to the doctor and he told me: "I don't find a thing. Nothing's wrong with you medically"
"All he could do was treat the symptoms with pain relievers, etc."
What had happened?
The tension from his situation had brought on a depression.
In his case, the cause was the tense political situation.
For most of us the causes vary considerably, but the symptoms are recognizable.
Do you know what people suffer most with depression?
Most susceptible: pastors and other professionals (lawyers, doctors), side by side with housewives.
They have: serious responsibilities
high standards
no one ever scores 100 on an exam
Satan finds us easy prey for his attacks
(he can always send us on a guilt trip!)
The Philippians were struggling with discouragement, brought on by the things they were suffering.
"JOY BOOK"-Paul was preaching joy because these Christians were discouraged (depressed)!
COMMON CAUSES OF DISCOURAGEMENT:
1. Other people—
The world around us–differences of world view, lack of appreciation and respect.
Christians, who don’t always act the way they should.
Carnality among Christian workers.
Even among church leaders, or missionaries.
2. Circumstances
Pressure–political or economic situation
Suffering on the job (or lack of job)
3. Things => (or lack of them) especially money
Missionaries or church leaders aren’t suppose to care about money and things!
But we do! Don’t we?
We all need to learn the truth of 4:12-13, 19
Lack of money, or of things “we need”
4. Ourselves => Failures-frustrations-weaknesses
Sometimes we fail; we don’t always perform as people expect us to.
We don’t always perform as WE expect ourselves to.
We let someone down who’s counting on us.
Philippian brethren knew all about these types of problems.
They were all there!
HOW WE USUALLY RESPOND TO DISCOURAGEMENT
When we are faced with affliction-
We turn our attention inward
We begin to focus on ourselves
We begin to defend ourselves.
Phil. 4 gives us a divine prescription to cure the illness! (Luke 8:5-8, 14)
Age of the prescription bottles. Older people’s lives are filled with prescriptions.
Paul provides seven prescriptions that are “good for what ails us.”
HOW WE SHOULD DEAL WITH DISCOURAGEMENT
They were struggling with discouragement, brought on by the things they were suffering.
When faced with discouragement or depression, what are the principles we ought to apply?
Paul's prescription from Philippians 4.
All the elements of this prescription come from the Lord.
These aren’t attitudes that WE can produce by our own efforts.
Paul tells us repeatedly that these are found IN HIM! He’s the source!
That’s the glue that holds all of these attitudes together.
ONLY GOD CAN PRODUCE THESE ATTITUDES IN US!
1. Stand firm in the Lord 4:1
This is the conclusion of the preceding passage.
We stand firm in the Lord by imitating Paul’s example.
It isn’t intended to be a new theme.
Yet it does contribute to the discussion of discouragement.
Fear is one of the greatest causes of discouragement
In the midst of frightening and discouraging circumstances, we ought to stand firm in the Lord
Our foundation isn’t ourselves, or our efforts.
The basis for a firm foundation is God–we stand firm in Him!
We will only stand firm when we stand in Him!
We shouldn't let circumstances get to us or shake us up
Our stability in difficulty comes from the Lord-not from ourselves.
Don't let the circumstances get you down!TRUST HIM!
2. Be of one mind 4:2-3 UNITY
Euodia and Syntyche- straighten out the problem between you!
True fellow-worker, help them resolve it!
They need to resolve the conflict among themselves.
They are to go back to pulling together.
Anger, without forgiveness, is the other great cause of depression.
Resolve personal conflicts
3. Rejoice in the Lord 4:4
Instead of complaining, or being discouraged by the complaints we hold inside ourselves, we ought to praise God for the things He has done for us.
You can’t rejoice and complain at the same time!
Our rejoicing isn’t in ourselves or our accomplishments.
It isn’t about what we have achieved.
Our rejoicing is in the Lord.
It’s in what He has done for us.
When our focus is on Him, there’s always plenty to celebrate!
Harry Ironside's continual prayer: "Lord, don't let me become a bitter old man!"
Mine: "Lord, don't let me become angry, critical or bitter!"
4. 4:5 [ “Be gracious to all men” NIV = “Let your gentleness be evident to all”]
Lit. = underlying idea: “reasonable, probable, plausible, with moderation, fair, equitable, kind”
Think calmly from God’s perspective.
We shouldn't let circumstances get to us or shake us up
Don’t panic!
Be reasonable, rational–think calmly, rationally.
Consider your struggle from God’s perspective.
How does HE see it?
Usually we respond to pressure by blowing off steam!
We ought to respond calmly. Think it through carefully–from God’s perspective.
5. Present your concerns to God. 4:6-7
Instead of worrying about our problems and needs-we are to present our requests to God.
"Stop worrying!" Construction implies they are worrying. Cut it out!
Continually take your requests to God.
PRAY!
This involves a decision-a commitment-to obey God.
Make a decision to obey God and stop worrying.
We can choose to obey God-either to obey or not to obey.
Choose to do it!
Present your requests with thanksgiving-
This is a prayer of faith:
We pray with thanksgiving . . .
because of what God has done in the past
because of what we expect God to do in the future
Either to change the situation-or to change us.
But He will do something!
God will resolve the problem-therefore, we can thank Him.
RESULT: => God’s peace will protect both our heart and our mind.
When we pray in faith this way-we experience His peace.
He guards both heart and mind!
For most of us the head is alright -we have that down
We know the truth and are secure in that
The truth has taken control of our minds
The problem is that it hasn't always controlled our hearts–our emotions still panic.
When we learn to entrust our concern to God in prayer-with faith
-His peace takes control of our hearts as well
I spend a lot of counseling time telling people that
we need to let the truth we know in our heads, take control of our hearts!
Paul tells us HOW to do that-commit your petition to God with thanksgiving-FAITH!
The peace of God becomes a shield to protect us from the anxiety and the discouragement.
6. Focus on things that lead to godliness. 4:8 Think properly!
This isn’t “the power of positive thinking”
This is “the power of godly thinking!”
When you feel the pressure building-worry increasing-
Take a moment to rest
Think about that which is positive
-that which is true -that which is honorable
-that which is right (just)-that which is pure
-that which is lovely-that which is of good repute
-that which is excellent -that which is worthy of praise
Two sources of negative thinking:
1. Garbage in-garbage out.
Whatever we fill our minds with will soon take control of our thoughts!
If we fill our minds with negative, destructive, critical, bitter thinking,
It will produce angry, fearful, bitter, discouraging attitudes!
People are filling their minds with garbage-pornography, violence, satanic thinking.
Concentrating on such things produces its own natural fruit.
You can't feed your body on garbage and grow healthy bodies.
You can't feed your mind on garbage and grow healthy minds
You can't feed your soul on garbage and grow a healthy soul.
Focus your attention–fix your mind on things that lead to godliness
–NOT on the garbage!
2. Influence of pessimism
Ex. the newspaper articles on the financial market, the economy, the political scene
If we allow ourselves to concentrate on the negative, it will consume us.
Personal negatives-our problems-our failures
Church negatives-failures among God's people
What should we concentrate on?
The epitome of the things dealt with here is Christ Himself
-the personification of all of these things
Who we are because God sees us in Him!
The epitome of proper thinking: Think about Jesus!
They’ve been thinking about themselves and their problems
We need to refocus! -to center our attention on God and on what He has done for us in Christ.
We need to think less about ourselves, and more on God.
"Turn your eyes upon Jesus"
FIX OUR FOCUS ON GOD-NOT ON OURSELVES!
7. Practice what you’ve learned. 4:9 Act properly
Walk in the light you already have Cp. Phil. 3:16; Eph. 5:8-10
Imitate the example you have seen in PaulPhil. 3:17
-Put into practice the things you have learned.
GOOD PEDAGOGICAL PRINCIPLES: Theory + Example + Practice
If you want to experience the peace of God, walk in a way that will give you the confidence to come into His presence boldly.
That's the way to enjoy His peace in your life.
This isn't the basis for salvation; but it IS the way to peace with God in your walk with Him-deal with the sin in your life.
Thinking properly (4:8)
+ produces => peace with God
Acting properly (4:9)
Oftentimes, our concern and depression is the result of sin in our life.
In that case, the solution to the problem of depression is "JUST DO IT!"
-Do the things you already know you ought to do!
People who come in with problems frequently already know what God wants us to do.
We just aren't doing it.
Sometimes you wish you could do something, shake some sense into their head, or something.
All we have to do is DO IT!
But we’re slow learners!
We would rather spend weeks or months struggling with it first.
When we finally DO what God has been trying to tell us. Guess what?!!
VOILA! -The God of Peace is with us! We find His peace!
So, WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO DO WITH THESE PRINCIPLES?
Simple solution: Not especially deep or profound!
JUST DO IT!
Spiritual maturity isn’t measured by how much we know,
but by what we do.
God’s peace doesn’t come from what we know,
it comes from putting into practice what we know–it comes from what we do.
Age of the prescription bottles. Older people’s lives are filled with prescriptions.
Paul provides seven prescriptions that are “good for what ails us.”
God has to provide them all!
When we learn to apply these seven God-given principles in our life,
The God of peace will be with us.
He will fill us with HIS peace!