Attack anxiety with contentment

Anxiety, fear, worry and stress are very familiar words in our society.

An extreme form of anxiety is referred to as a panic attack. Panic attacks are usually related to a fear that is so overpowering and so overwhelming that it grabs a person’s heart, makes it beat faster and produces chills or perspiration. The person is unable to cope with the moment. Anxiety and worry are inappropriate responses to circumstances. In Philippians 4:6, God commands, “Be anxious for nothing.” Two passages bracket this command. One comes before and the other comes afterward. The Bible teaches to attack anxiety by specifying a habit to avoid and an attitude to cultivate.

The habit to avoid is complaining. The first text reads, “Do all things without murmuring and grumbling, that you may be blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you as shine as lights in the world …” (Philippians 2:14-15).

Our society loves to complain. The more people have the more they complain. When we gripe about our circumstances we are ultimately complaining against God. After all, he is the one who put us where we are. A lack of thankfulness is ultimately an attack against God. Complaining is a failure to trust God and submit to his will. Instead of complaining a Christian is to rejoice (Philippians 4:4).

The habit to avoid is complaining, but the attitude to cultivate is contentment. In Philippians 4:11-12, the Apostle Paul said, “I have learned to be content. … I have learned the secret.” Paul faced many difficult circumstances. Throughout all of them he was content. In Philippians 4:10-19, God spells out five principles for building contentment in your life.

The first principle is to rest in God’s providence. Paul said, “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity” (verse 10). Paul was writing from prison. He had not heard from the church in Philippi for 10 years. Finally, after many years the church helped him while in prison. Philippians is a thank you from Paul to those in the Philippi church. Paul had a patient confidence in God’s sovereign providence. He did not panic. He did not manipulate others. He was certain that God would orchestrate circumstances to meet his needs.

Everything in your life is under God’s control. God’s sent his son, Jesus, to die for you. Jesus will care for his sheep. Paul’s life sets the example for us: work as hard as you can and trust God for the results.

The second principle is to be satisfied with little. Paul said, “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need” (verses 11-12). Paul said, “Not that I speak in regard to need.” That’s another way of saying, “I really don’t have any needs that aren’t being met.”

Unfortunately, many in our society are not content with little or with much. Often, the more people have the more discontent they are. Typically, the most unhappy people you will ever meet are the very wealthy. Regard any surplus as a blessing from God. True wealth is everything money can’t buy and death can’t take away.

The third principle is to rise above circumstances. Paul said, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am” (verse 11). Contentment is produced by not taking your earthly circumstances too seriously. Paul had an eternal perspective. Scripture reads, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). Paul endured devastating circumstances by focusing upon his eternal reward.

The fourth principle is to remember God’s power. Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (verse 13). Contentment comes when you experience the sustaining power of Christ when you are exhausted. A pacemaker kicks in when the heart doesn’t work properly. It’s a sustaining power. Every follower of Jesus has a reservoir of spiritual power that moves into action when we have come to the end of our resources.

The fifth principle is to focus on the needs of others (verses 14-19). The church sent Paul food and clothing. Amazingly, Paul did not focus upon his own needs in prison. Rather, he focused upon their needs. Paul said, “And my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (verse 19).

How do we overcome anxiety? Two keys are to avoid complaining and to cultivate contentment. God providentially provides in your life. Be satisfied with little. Rise above circumstances. Rest in God’s power. Focus on the needs of others. Since Jesus died for every believer on the cross he will more than meet all of your needs.

Ethan Hansen is pastor at Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake. Contact him at ethanchansen@gci.net.