Releasing Anxiety
- Tommy Mahaffie
- Mar 16
- 4 min read
One of my favorite pastors to listen to is Ben Stuart.
I first started listening to him when I went to my parents church in Spring Texas called "Faithbridge." One of the reasons he is my favorite is because his stories and examples really connect to me on a personal level. He also is really funny and enthusiastic and connects it all back to God's word. He came back Faithbridge to be a guest speaker and he preached a sermon on "Releasing Anxiety."
Brittany and I decided to stay home for church today because Avery's had a fever this past weekend and we didn't want her to spread anything. We tried to stream our churches service but for some reason it wasn't working. So I went to my go to pastor and we watched this one.
FaithBridge Video from December of 2014.
The sermon is on Philippians 4:4-9
Final Exhortations
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Before watching I didn't really think I was anxious about much but after finishing I realized how anxious I am and how much it affects me.
Coaching
Brittany and I have a deep desire here at OCSI to provide an athletic opportunity for the students. Last year the girls didn't have a soccer team because there wasn't a coach and the same goes for Track and Field. So we both decided to bring Girls soccer and Track and Field back to OCSI. We have been blessed by our community for those who are willing to watch Avery in those times we both have practice. But leaving her and stepping into this new role is different for us and coaching in general brings about it's own anxieties.
Are we doing it right?
Saying the right words?
Teaching the right strategies?
Encouraging them?
Photography
One of the things that Ben Stuart talks about is having anxiety over hypothetical situations. As you may know I like to take pictures. Photography has become a deeper passion of mine and I'm really starting to think about how I could work as a photographer one day. Well with that thought in mind I've been coming up with a variety of hypothetical situations
what kind of job could I do?
Could I start my own business/side job?
etc...
These are just two examples that I was thinking about in the moment but I'm sure I could come up with a plethora of more that cross my mind at times.
Ben gives the example about waking up in the morning and realizing how much stuff you have to get done and so what people do is they suppress their worries and try their best to move on with their day. Which only worsens the problem.
But in this passage Paul reminds the Philippians to present their requests to God. "in every situation, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your request to God."
I've read that passage many times but I don't actually do it. It say's after that "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
Don't you know that God understands all the worries and anxieties you face.
He cares about you and He is strong enough to take care of them.
Brittany and I have this "BE STILL" sign that sits on a cabinet in our house. It was a verse that I hold dear because it reminds me of Hope College and how we use to have "B" chapels. Where instead of worshipping we would stay seated in the church pews while the pastor would recite that verse over and over again eliminating one word at a time.
And during that time we would really think deeply.
"Be still, and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I am
Be still, and know that I
Be still, and know that
Be still, and know
Be still, and know
Be still,
Be.
God was reminding me again to Be still and To present my worries to Him.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
...But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
After reading this I'm sure you noticed that I was all over the place. If you know anything about me I love to verbally process.
In Closing
There could be so much more I could say about this sermon, about worry/anxiety.
This is only scratching the surface of things.
If you are anxious about things in your life. Present them to God.
Go and watch the sermon.
watch it more than once I'm sure you are going to pick up new things each time you watch it.
God is with you where ever you go.
Prayers
Pray for Brittany and I as we are coaching this season
Pray for me as I continue to teach PE and Health
Pray that I am able to get surgery for my toe that has been bothering me for a while. (more on that later)
Pray for Avery and that she will get past this fever.
Pray that I can stop watching videos and begin to Be Still and present my request to God. That I may direct my focus not on earthly things but on what God's will and purpose is for my life.
Picture from a field nearby my school in Yomitan, Okinawa.
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