TURNING ANXIETY TO PEACE,

Via Philippians 4.6-8

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.  Finally, … whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy—think about such things.

       V 6—Whenever I am anxious,

                Therefore Afraid, Angry, Bitter Harsh…

       V 7—I can Pray for Peace—

                Peace of Mind, Thoughts, Feelings, 

                   “Still waters and Green Pastures.”

V 8—After I ask for Peace, I can Think About—

              (Set my Mind and Focus, Seek, Meditate)

       things that are

              True, Noble, Right, Pure, Love

              Admirable, Excellent, Praiseworthy.

Take a moment to identify an issue that causes Anxiety.

          Ask yourself, in your mind’s eye,

“Why am I anxious?  What am I anxious about?”

          God will tell you.

Stay still, pause a moment longer, and see if there is another issue.

        And another, and another, and … another…

Until you seem to have found the most important, bottom line cause of Anxiety.

When you have “hit bottom,” turn your mind to one of “these things” in v 8.

          Select one and focus on that one ("True,"...) thing for “Peace,”

 just like you did on “Anxiety.”

Something for Peace will come to your mind.

         Continue to focus and other things will come to mind.

Continue to focus on Peace until you come to the most important, bottom line thing that brings you Peace.

Continue your meditation morning and evening 

                 (reviewing noon, 5-7 times a day), 

         until your Peace is well-established.

Once you have learned to establish Peace in your heart, you can enter this place of calm, quiet assurance of grace and goodness from the Love and Faithfulness of God, the rest of your life.