Shock Absorbers for the Soul
Philippians 4:4-7
Does it feel like the shock absorbers have bottomed out in your life? Does the road you are currently traveling on seem to be in dire need of repair? What caused that?
Today, I want us to think about developing some shock absorbers for our souls, some stabilizers that can help us navigate and survive the potholes of life that seem to be every where on our journey?
Grow in GRACIOUSNESS, not GRUMPINESS!
There were potholes everywhere. And here are the shock absorbers Paul encouraged them to put on their souls…
Philippians 4:4–7 — 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Knowing that Jesus is with us and He’s coming back for us provides real stability on even the most treacherous roads we travel in this life. And here are the steps we can take that will enable us to be people builders instead of steamrollers…
1.CELEBRATE what Jesus is doing in your life. Philippians 4:4
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
He’s not telling us to be happy. This isn’t an emotion. It’s the conviction that God really is in control of the circumstances of my life.
2.COMMUNICATE you are for others. Philippians 4:5
5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;
Spiritual stability belongs to the graciously humble.
3.CARRY your concerns to God. Philippians 4:6
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
When I am worried I am saying that I believe this is something that I am in control of or at least I think I should be in control of. When I pray what I’m saying is that God, you are in control of this.
1. Adoration: Talk to God about God
2. Supplication: Make Practical Requests
3. Appreciation: Tell God “Thank You”
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CLOTHE your soul with God’s peace. Philippians 4:7
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Peace is the emotional and mental stability that enables a person to operate the vehicle of our souls safely when people all around us are careening out of control.
Let’s Grow in GRACIOUSNESS, not GRUMPINESS! We can either go through life as a steamroller or a people builder. God created us to be builders, not steamrollers.
Let’s talk about shock absorbers for the soul…
- What kinds of things rob you of joy in life?
- What do you do to help maintain joy in life?
- Who do you know that has a gentle spirit? What do they do that demonstrates gentleness?
- What would it look like for your life to be more gentle? What would our church look like if we were more gentle?
- What are some gentle busters you’ve witnessed in life or experienced in your own life? When are you least likely to be gentle?
- How are the people in your world impacted when you lack gentleness?
- What kinds of things can you do to get from being anxious about anything to praying about everything?
- How can you know that the peace of God is guarding your heart and mind?
