Hello friends!
How is your week? How is the reading going? Have you been able to reflect on the way that chapters 1-3 build and lead us in to the powerful words Chapter 4?
Questions for Philippians 4:1-3
1. Verses 2-3 are directed at specific members of the body of Christ. Apparently, these 2 women were either in conflict with one another or with the church. In life, conflict is unavoidable. In our church communities, conflict is unavoidable. In our own families, conflict is unavoidable. In light of this, let’s take some time to make sure that we know how to do conflict well, in a healthy manner that does not tear down other members of the body of Christ.
2. How do you feel about conflict? Do you avoid conflict or does it energize you? Or, are you someone who, while not enjoying conflict, has accepted that you can handle it when the need arises?
3. When is conflict healthy? When is it not?
4. How can we, as believers, handle conflict well?
Consider these verses as you reflect on this last question:
-“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector” (Matthew 18:15-17).
-“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).
-“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:31-32).
-“Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive” (Colossians 3:13).
-“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger” (Ephesians 4:26).
-“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:19-21).
-“You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:5).
-“What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?” (James 4:1).
-“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:18).
-“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Colossians 4:6).
Questions for Philippians 4:4-9
1. Verses 6-7 are so often quoted, so powerful and yet…can seem unattainable (at least to me!) Let’s focus here today and dig into how we can experience the “peace of God that transcends all understanding.”
-What makes you anxious? Park here for a minute and really think about it. Maybe anxiety is not a struggle for you. That is amazing! However, before you check this one off as unnecessary, remember that anxiety can mask itself in more easily accessible emotions such as anger, irritability or sadness. Another way to ask this question could be, what makes you feel out of sorts or off-balance?
Make a list, we are going to use it in a minute.
2. It is time for us to wage war against the list that we just made! Paul includes the tools that we need to get started in this battle;
“in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God”(Philippians 4:6b).
-Stop and pray. Thank God for who He is, focus on His attributes. Thank Him for His faithfulness in your life. Get specific, remembering instances and situations when He has proven Himself faithful. Now, begin at the top of your list and talk to God about everything that you wrote down. Tell Him all about it. Lay it at His feet and ask Him to guard your heart in all of these things.
3. So, all done? Magic wand and anxiety is a thing of the past? That would be amazing and God can certainly do miracles. In my life, I have found that anxiety, difficult situations and challenging emotions seem to keep creeping up. The good news, they also keep bringing me back to the feet of God. What now? Time for stage 2 in our battle…
-Consider verse 8. Look at each word listed: true, noble, right, pure, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Define what each word means to you and then search for a Bible verse that represents the word. Make a list of your definitions and Bible verses.
-The verses that you have just listed are now your artillery for battle. Match them to the times on your first list, your anxious list. If you need to use one more than once, no problem! Ask the Lord to show you where to match each verse and be open to any other verses that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
-Moving forward, every time that one of these worries creeps into your mind, a difficult situation or frustrating emotion feels as though it is going to overtake you, replace it with your “fighter verse”! You do not have to white knuckle your way through this. You cannot do it on your own and you don’t have to! When you start to feel anxious or off-balance, simply stop, ask the Lord to guard your heart and then replace whatever lie the enemy is feeding you with the Truth that you have hidden your heart.
Thank you for studying with me this week! I look forward to hearing from anyone who is open to sharing on Friday…just comment!
Hugs!
Kinsee
