Why This Study?
Some people need to work through life with the help of Jesus and a doctor. That’s okay. Some people need both prayer and prescriptions. That’s okay too. Some of us can deal with our anxiety and stress with healthy spiritual and physical habits. Others have an actual chemical imbalance within their body where their stress messengers are constantly sending false signals to their brain. They need people on their team to help fight that battle.

Stress
the physical or mental response to an external cause such as managing responsibilities, meeting expectations, or dealing with sickness

Anxiety Is A Bully

• Makes your heart Race
• Palms Sweat
• Makes Simple tasks seem like huge responsibilities
• Encourages Procrastination
• Keeps us awake thinking about mistakes or worst-case scenarios
  

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. —Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV

The Philippians’s Struggle
A. Nero

B. Paul

C. Prayer Is A Pivotal Step Towards Peace

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. —Matthew 6:33-34 NKJV

Prayer is powerful because it brings you into the present moment. It’s not just theologically sound - it’s psychologically sound as well. —Anxiety Discussion Guide

D. Grounding

Grounding Exercise When You Get Stressed (5-4-3-2-1)

• Take a deep breath. Then name 5 things you can see around you.
• Take a deep breath. Then name 4 things you can hear, smell, or touch.
• Take another deep breath. Then name 3 things you are thankful for today.
• Take a deep breath. Then name 2 character traits of God.
• Finally, ask God to bring you peace into this 1 present moment. Don’t get caught up in the future or past. Just focus on connecting with God here and now.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving reminds us that God provided in the past, and He’ll continue to provide in the future. Gratitude will help you contextualize the past, connect with the peace in the present, and cultivate optimism for the future.

Peace happens when we are set free from our stress, worry, & uncertainty. It’s based on our standing with god. Prayer connects us with His presence & His presence is a source of peace.

Reflections
1. How do you ususally respond to stress or anxiety?

2. How can prayer help you battle anxious feelings in your mind?

3. What has been causing you stress or anxiety? When those feelings begins to arise, what can you do to remind yourself to pray and be thankful?

We all deal with anxiety to some degree, so it’s pivotal that we learn how to recognize, reset, and redirect our anxious thought patterns.

Anxiety Is How Our Brains Deal With Danger
A. Cortisol

“Stress isn’t supposed to be our default setting.”

Changing The Mindset

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. —Philippians 4:8-9 NKJV

A. True- reliable, honest

B. Noble- worthy of respect

C. Right- Honor God & others

D. Lovely- pleasing or enjoyable

Reflections
1. How do you thoughts impact other aspects of your life?

2. Why do you think God cares so much about your thought life?

3. Why is it important not only to reject negative thoughts but also redirect them?

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. 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. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. —Philippians 4:10-13 NKJV

A. Contentment

B. Christ

C. Confidence